Two Women Journalists Allege Assault at Delhi’s Saket Police Station, Police Deny Charges
New Delhi, September 4, 2026: Two women journalists, Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan, have alleged that they were detained and physically assaulted by Delhi Police personnel at Saket Police Station in South Delhi on September 3. The journalists were reportedly covering an event at Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital attended by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Delhi Police has denied the allegations, describing the claims as “factually incorrect” and “misleading.” According to the police, the two women were taken to the police station after allegedly obstructing a designated VVIP route with their scooter and refusing repeated instructions to clear the area.
Journalists Describe Alleged Detention and Assault
According to statements given by Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan, they had gone to the Saket area to cover the VIP movement and the hospital event. They said they recorded video footage near the venue before police personnel stopped them.
The journalists allege that they were subsequently taken to Saket Police Station. Shaheen Khan claimed that their phones were taken away and that they were later taken inside a room where they were allegedly beaten by police personnel.
In the video account provided by the journalists, they also alleged that the assault intensified after police personnel became aware of their Muslim identity. They claimed that religiously derogatory remarks were made during the alleged assault.
These allegations have not been independently established, and Delhi Police has rejected the accusations.
Delhi Police Gives a Different Account
Delhi Police said the women were detained because they allegedly obstructed a VVIP security route near the event venue.
According to the police version, the women had parked their scooter in an area designated for VIP movement and did not comply with repeated requests to remove it. Police said they were taken to the local police station for further inquiry because of security and safety concerns.
DCP (South) Anant Mittal rejected the allegations of assault and said the claims were baseless and misleading. Police maintained that the women were briefly detained in connection with the alleged obstruction of the VVIP route.
Press Organisations Demand an Investigation
The allegations have triggered concern among journalist organisations and press groups.
The Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corps, Delhi Union of Journalists, Press Association and Kerala Union of Working Journalists have condemned the alleged incident and called for a free and fair investigation into the matter.
The organisations have demanded that the allegations against the police personnel be properly investigated and that action be taken if the charges are established.
Questions Over Police Conduct and Press Freedom
The incident has also raised wider questions about the treatment of journalists while covering high-security events.
Journalists often work around security restrictions during visits by senior political leaders. At the same time, allegations of physical assault inside a police station are serious and require an impartial examination of the available evidence.
The journalists have referred to CCTV cameras at the police station and medical examinations as potential sources of evidence. Any available CCTV footage, videos, medical records and statements from witnesses could help investigators establish what happened.
Investigation Could Clarify Conflicting Claims
At present, the two sides have presented sharply different accounts of the incident. The journalists allege unlawful detention and assault, including alleged religion-based abuse, while the police say the women were taken to the station because they allegedly obstructed a VVIP route.
Because of these conflicting claims, an independent and transparent investigation will be important to determine the facts.
The case has attracted attention not only because of the allegations against police personnel but also because it involves questions about journalists’ safety, police accountability and the treatment of citizens during VVIP security arrangements.
Source: Multiple media reports and statements attributed to the journalists and Delhi Police. Allegations mentioned in this report have not been treated as established facts.
