Notice to Delhi Police for ‘groping’ protesting student

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has issued a notice to the police commissioner seeking explanation for a cop’s alleged misbehaviour with a female JNU student during

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has issued a notice to the police commissioner seeking explanation for a cop’s alleged misbehaviour with a female JNU student during a protest over a missing student.

JNU students and family member of Najeeb Ahmad, missing since October 15, were detained on Sunday when they tried to protest at India Gate. (PTI)

“I have received a complaint from a girl regarding alleged groping and physical abuse by a police officer during a peaceful protest for missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed at India Gate. A picture which clearly shows a policeman groping her was displayed today in the newspaper,” DCW chief Swati Maliwal said in the letter sent to Delhi Police commissioner Alok Verma.

JNU students and family member of Najeeb Ahmad, missing since October 15, were detained on Sunday when they tried to protest at India Gate over alleged inaction by police and university administration.

DCW said, as per the complainant, there were no female police personnel deputed at the spot. When the women objected to this, the policemen allegedly abused them, passed sexist comments and forcefully dragged them to a bus which did not have any policewomen either.

Read: Family of missing JNU student clings to news for hope

Maliwal has asked Verma to explain within three days about reasons for the use of force on protesting students, including the complainant and Najeeb’s mother.

“The commission wants to know the reasons for non-deployment of female officers at the time of the incident with the girl complainant. What is the name and designation of the male officer visible in the newspaper clipping who is seen groping the female complainant,” the notice said.

Police has also been asked to explain details of the action taken against the male officer for the said incident and steps proposed to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future.