TMC's Gokhale files complaint against Delhi cop for assaulting woman protester, also petitions UN

Source: PTI

Trinamool Congress former Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale on Thursday (July 23, 2026) stated that he has filed a police complaint against Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba over the alleged assault of a woman protester during police action near Jantar Mantar on July 20.

Complaint Details

In a post on X, Mr. Gokhale said he submitted the complaint to the SHO of Parliament Street police station, seeking an FIR against Mr. Lamba. He alleged that the officer assaulted a woman protester during the police crackdown at a students' march toward Parliament.

The complaint invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:

• Section 74 — Assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty
• Section 115 — Voluntarily causing hurt
• Section 131 — Assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation
• Section 198 — Public servant disobeying the law with intent to cause injury
• Read with Section 3(5)

Context of the Complaint

Mr. Gokhale noted that the complaint was filed a day after the Delhi High Court was informed by the government, during the hearing of petitions alleging police brutality, that no one had approached the police seeking registration of an FIR.

Citing the Supreme Court's judgment in Lalita Kumari vs State of Uttar Pradesh, he stated that registration of an FIR is mandatory when information discloses a cognisable offence.

Allegations of Excessive Force

Mr. Gokhale alleged that over 90 people were injured in the police action. He claimed that videos show:

• Police personnel without name tags
• Use of lathis (batons) fitted with nails
• Children being beaten

He asserted that every police officer who allegedly assaulted peaceful protesters should be held accountable.

Complaint to the United Nations

Mr. Gokhale has also filed a complaint before the United Nations' Special Procedures mechanism regarding the alleged police brutality during the July 20 protest. In an earlier post, he said the UN complaint covers issues including:

• Arbitrary detention
• Freedom of peaceful assembly and association
• Protection of human rights defenders
• Torture and ill-treatment
• Violence against women and girls

Appeal for Video Evidence

The TMC leader has appealed to the public to share videos of the July 20 police action. He stated that he and some MPs are compiling visual evidence to identify police personnel allegedly involved in assaulting protesters, so that legal action can be initiated.

He said people possessing videos — particularly those clearly showing the faces of officers involved — could upload them anonymously through a dedicated portal. No personal details such as name, email address, or phone number would be collected.

Related coverage:

• CJP protest: Police stop students in autorickshaws from reaching Jantar Mantar
• Pellet guns, shock batons used against protesters in Delhi; police deny
• Centre invites protesters for talks at J.P. Nadda’s office; CJP rejects offer