News Desk: A serving Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer posted in Manipur has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Delhi Police and the National Commission for Women (NCW), seeking an investigation into allegations that police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel physically mistreated women protesters during recent demonstrations in Delhi.
Assistant Commandant Rahul Solanki submitted the complaint in his personal capacity as a concerned citizen. He attached links to three videos circulating on social media that, according to him, prima facie appear to show security personnel mistreating women.
Solanki has called for an impartial investigation and forensic examination of the footage to establish the facts. In his complaint, he clarified that he had not independently verified the videos and urged the authorities to examine the complete recordings and the circumstances surrounding the alleged incidents.
He also requested that appropriate legal and departmental action be taken against the personnel and supervisory officers found responsible if the allegations are substantiated. Conversely, if the videos are found to have been fabricated or materially manipulated, he said action could be pursued in accordance with the law.
The CRPF officer further called for appropriate directions and gender-sensitivity training for police personnel deployed on the ground, particularly those responsible for handling women protesters.
Solanki also acknowledged the duties performed by police and CAPF personnel, stating that his complaint was not intended to undermine their service but to ensure that any genuine misconduct was addressed fairly. The CRPF had not issued a comment on the complaint at the time of publication.
The development comes amid growing scrutiny of the handling of recent protests in Delhi. Videos circulating online have raised allegations of police personnel manhandling women demonstrators. A woman has also accused a Delhi Police officer of molestation, while footage reportedly showed four men belonging to a right-wing group assaulting protesters. According to the report, the four men were arrested on Sunday and released on bail within 24 hours.
Separately, the Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the personal presence of a senior Delhi Police officer to explain allegations of assault against women journalists covering the protests.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant made the observation after senior advocate Indira Jaising mentioned a petition filed by the Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI). The petition seeks safeguards for journalists covering protests, particularly women journalists.
The latest developments have brought renewed attention to the safety of women protesters and journalists, as well as the need for an impartial examination of the allegations. The claims remain subject to investigation, and the authorities are yet to establish the facts surrounding the incidents.
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