Protester alleges assault, intrusion of privacy in Delhi Police custody

A person who purportedly took part in the protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has alleged that Delhi Police personnel assaulted several protesters in custody, forcibly accessed a detainee’s mobile phone and deleted videos and photographs, after picking them up from Connaught Place.

In a video which is circulating on social media, a protester is seen claiming that a group of people intervened after witnessing male police personnel dragging a couple near Connaught Place.

“We were subsequently detained and taken to an isolated location, where media personnel and other civilians were not allowed,” the man said.

The protester claimed that the detainees were made to sit in rows and police personnel selectively demanded their mobile phones.

“In one instance, an inspector forced a detainee to share his phone password, after which personnel browsed his gallery and deleted photographs and videos, including those in the recently-deleted folder,” the protester is heard saying.

He further alleged that the person was slapped several times for refusing to cooperate.

Further, describing alleged assault inside a police van, the protester claimed that detainees were taken individually into a compartment and slapped, kicked and thrashed, with some also being kicked in private parts.

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The group was subsequently taken to a police station before being brought to another location, where their details were recorded, he said.

The protester also alleged that four minors were present in one compartment and appeared frightened.

Despite having their details, the protester claimed police personnel did not attend to them for nearly two hours.

A detainee with a fractured hand was also allegedly denied first aid despite repeated requests. The protester said police personnel initially refused to provide assistance but later offered it.

He claimed internet connectivity — key to bringing the incident to public attention — was also shut.

The allegations could not be independently verified. Despite multiple queries, Delhi Police has not responded to the charges.