Tensions intensified in New Delhi after several Delhi Police personnel alleged that they were physically assaulted during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police officials said protesters pushed and manhandled officers, damaged uniform accessories and, in one reported incident, allegedly bit a constable during clashes on Wednesday.
The allegations came as the opposition-led demonstrations entered another day, with protesters demanding action over alleged irregularities connected to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Delhi Police said multiple cases have been registered in connection with the confrontations.
Police Officers Describe Confrontations
Constable Devender Sandhu told reporters that police personnel were attempting to enforce restrictions and asking protesters to disperse when the situation escalated.
According to Sandhu, protesters allegedly broke officers’ nameplates, pulled caps from their heads and pushed and pulled personnel during the detention process. He also claimed that he suffered injuries to his waist and the back of his head during the confrontation.
Police officials said they were attempting to handle the crowd without using unnecessary force. Head Constable Bhupender Ahlawat similarly alleged that officers were pushed and kicked during the melee.
The allegations are being presented by police as part of their account of what happened at the protest. The claims remain allegations and should be distinguished from independently established findings.
Constable Allegedly Bitten During Detention
Another officer, Constable Ankit Kasana, alleged that he was attacked while attempting to clear a route during the detention of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Kasana said a group of approximately 30–35 people surrounded him while police were attempting to move a vehicle. He alleged that protesters abused him, tore his uniform, scratched him and bit him. He was subsequently taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi for a medical examination.
Delhi Police said three FIRs had been registered in connection with Wednesday’s protest, with cases relating to alleged assault on police personnel, obstruction of government work, pushing and manhandling, and alleged misbehaviour with officers.
DCP Warns Against ‘Wrongful Influence’
Delhi Police DCP Shrishti Pandey said on Thursday that some form of “wrongful influence” appeared to be leading young people in what police considered the wrong direction.
Pandey urged protesters to consider the legal and long-term consequences of allegedly attacking officers performing their duties. She specifically condemned actions such as striking, biting or scratching uniformed personnel.
At the same time, the DCP warned the public about the circulation of potentially manipulated or AI-generated photographs and videos related to the protests. She appealed to people to verify information before sharing it online and said official police social-media channels should be consulted for updates.
Political Protest Meets Law-and-Order Concerns
The confrontation has added another layer to an already politically charged dispute surrounding the Election Commission and the SIR exercise. INDIA bloc MPs have continued demonstrations demanding accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Delhi Police has said Section 163 restrictions are currently in force in the capital and that unauthorised gatherings can lead to legal action. The police have also indicated that additional cases could follow as officers examine available video footage and identify people allegedly involved in the confrontations.
The latest developments highlight the increasingly tense relationship between protesters and law-enforcement personnel in Delhi. While the right to peaceful protest remains central to democratic expression, police officials are stressing that physical attacks on officers can carry criminal consequences. Meanwhile, allegations surrounding police conduct and the handling of demonstrations remain part of the wider public debate.
As investigations continue, authorities are expected to rely on CCTV footage, mobile recordings, witness statements and medical reports to establish what occurred during the clashes.
