Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 17: A woman journalist working for a news website on Saturday lodged a criminal complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging that he pushed her while leading a march towards the Supreme Court on October 12, a police official said.
Richa Parashar, 28, met the Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, and submitted a complaint seeking immediate registration of an FIR against Gandhi and others for allegedly using criminal force against her, claiming that she was three months pregnant and suffered physical injury and mental trauma.
The complaint concerns alleged mistreatment, threats and use of criminal force against Parashar, a resident of Sector 78 in Noida, while she was reporting on Gandhi’s protest near the Supreme Court.
Parashar, an associate producer with the news website, sought action under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Section 74, which deals with assault or criminal force against a woman with intent or knowledge that it is likely to outrage her modesty, and Section 115(2), relating to punishment for voluntarily causing hurt.
She also sought action under Section 131, concerning assault or criminal force without grave and sudden provocation; Section 125, relating to rash or negligent acts endangering human life or personal safety; and Section 3(5), which deals with joint liability for criminal acts committed by several persons in furtherance of a common intention.
In her complaint, Parashar alleged that Gandhi pushed her towards a gate when she questioned him.
“I asked questions from Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and suddenly he pushed me towards the gate. I pleaded, repeatedly, that I should not be pushed. The pleas were ignored,” she stated.
“The push was so hard and with force that I lost my balance and fell,” she alleged.
She further claimed that the incident occurred openly in a crowded public place in the presence of security personnel, journalists and other people.
“It was a push delivered despite my express pleas, and not a mere jostle of the crowd,” she said.
Parashar also stated that the Supreme Court had taken cognisance of the incident, issued a notice and directed the preservation of the original video recordings of the October 12 incident.
“The incident has caused me serious mental trauma and has made it fearful for me to carry out my professional work,” she said.
Claiming that she had been taken for emergency medical care after the alleged incident, Parashar said the physical pain, fear and mental distress had affected her pregnancy and necessitated continued medical supervision.
She urged Delhi Police to register an FIR without delay against Gandhi and all others allegedly involved, claiming that their actions had caused her physical and mental injury and endangered her life.
“I demand prompt registration of the FIR and a fair, time-bound investigation, failing which I shall pursue every remedy available in law,” she said.