The Press Gallery Committee of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Sunday strongly condemned the illegal detention of Punjab journalists by the Delhi Police during their coverage of the Delhi Vidhan Sabha elections on February 1. The journalists, who were investigating alleged election malpractices, including the distribution of liquor and other materials to influence voters, were detained at the Tughlaq Road police station for over eight hours despite carrying proper identification proofs.
The journalists had reportedly been documenting incidents of corruption when they were confronted by political operatives, who objected to their reporting. The Delhi Police, instead of taking action against the perpetrators, misbehaved with the journalists and detained them, including a member of the Press Gallery Committee. The situation escalated until news of the incident spread, prompting their release.
In response, Press Gallery Committee chairman Ashwani Chawla has filed a formal complaint with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) demanding strict action against the errant police officials involved and ensuring such incidents do not repeat. Chawla emphasized that the media is the fourth pillar of democracy, and any attempt to prevent journalists from performing their duties undermines democratic values.
The Chandigarh Press Club also strongly condemned the police's actions, calling them a direct attack on press freedom, and the right to report without fear. They urged the authorities to conduct an immediate inquiry into the matter and hold the responsible officials accountable.
Similarly, the Indian Journalists Union echoed these concerns, describing the police behaviour as a blatant disregard for journalists’ rights. They called for a thorough investigation and the intervention of the Press Council of India, stressing that such harassment and intimidation should not be tolerated.
