The Supreme Court plea by Kerala Journalists Union relies on the Court’s interim directions of 9 and 11 October in alleging that working journalists covering Delhi protests on 10 and 11 October were detained, assaulted and intimidated by police personnel. The allegations are those of the petitioner and are untested.
New Delhi: Seeking an independent inquiry into the alleged unlawful detention, physical assault, manhandling and intimidation of journalists who were covering the student protests in Delhi on 10 and 11 October 2026, the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ), Delhi Unit, has approached the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution. The allegations are those of the petitioner, no response from the authorities has been recorded and the Court has expressed no view on them [Kerala Union of Working Journalists, Delhi Unit v. Union of India and Others].
The Union’s Delhi Unit Secretary, Dr. D. Dhanasumod, has filed the petition, which was settled by Advocate-on-Record Anne Mathew. The available material does not mention a bench or a date of listing.
The orders the petition leans on
According to the petition, the conduct complained of disregarded the Supreme Court’s interim directions of 9 October and 11 October 2026. It relies on the 11 October direction that lawyers, journalists and other professionals shall not be hindered in the discharge of their professional duties, and claims violation of Articles 14, 19(1)(a) and 21 of the Constitution. The earlier proceedings are cited by diary number: 63560/2026 (9 October) and 63801/2026 and 63858/2026 (11 October).
The allegations
Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel, the petitioner contends, targeted accredited journalists as they documented events, among them some who displayed press credentials. It alleges that journalists were restrained, dragged away, questioned for long periods and subjected to intrusive searches, that an attempt was made to snatch a photographer’s camera, and that a woman journalist was physically assaulted while reporting live.
Seven journalists from Malayalam news channels are named as affected: Suhail Muhammed and V.S. Rahul of 24 News, Sajin of Asianet News, Roshni Rajan, Farsana and Vishnuprasad of Mathrubhumi, and Miji P. Jose of Manorama News.
What the Union wants from the Court
The prayers include an independent, impartial and time-bound inquiry, action against any officials found responsible, directions to prevent unlawful interference with journalists covering public events along with measures for their safety, and compensation for the affected journalists. The petitioner also asks for preservation of CCTV, body-worn camera, photographic and drone footage, deployment records, detention registers and official communications, for appropriate proceedings over the alleged breach of the Court’s orders, and for binding guidelines to protect journalists.
One more petition in the cluster
The plea joins a cluster of proceedings before the Supreme Court on the safety of journalists covering the Delhi protests. Whether the Court takes it up with the connected matters, and whether the authorities dispute the account, is yet to be seen. No finding has been made on any allegation.
Case Details: Kerala Union of Working Journalists, Delhi Unit v. Union of India and Others (Article 32 petition; case number not available); filed October 2026.
Appearances: Advocate-on-Record Anne Mathew for the petitioner.