Smt. Brinda Karat, senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and former Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha has written a letter today to Shri. Satish Golchha, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Delhi, requesting his urgent intervention in a case of illegal actions by Delhi Police personnel from the New Rajinder Nagar PS, against a young woman. 

We are herewith releasing the text of the letter for publication.

To

The Commissioner of Police

Delhi

Dear Shri Satish Golchha ji,

Namaskar. I am writing to request your urgent intervention in a case of illegal actions by the New Rajinder Nagar PS and for action against the officers concerned.

The facts are as follows:

1.    In the afternoon of June 6th I received a phone call from a young woman Aahana Singh Kaith d/o Daleep Singh Kaith whom I have known for many years. She has been a student in Delhi and has just completed her final exam for her Master’s degree on June 4. She was distraught and deeply upset when she spoke to me and told me about the totally illegal and inhuman harassment she has faced.

2.    She said that on June 5 at around 12.30 pm, when she was at the local gym named “Anything Fitness” at New Rajinder Nagar, a group of policemen entered the gym and asked the staff to identify her. Thereafter, this group of policemen and one policewoman took her to the parking premises of a nearby coaching institute called “Sriram IAS”. Here they surrounded her and started interrogating her. Among them, she identified an officer named “Shivam” and a woman sub-inspector named Rita. She was asked about her family background, her education and so on. She was repeatedly questioned about her political views and warned not to go to the CJP (Cockroach Janta party) demonstration the next day. When she informed them that she had no intention of going, they said to her, “We have information about you and that you are planning to go”. They also told her that she should inform the police of anyone she knew who was planning to go. In other words, she was threatened to become a police informer on the threat of action against her.

3.    They demanded that she hand over her phone to them. Aahana objected saying that they needed a court order. But later she did show the police her WhatsApp messages hoping that this would stop the harassment. But despite this cooperation from her side, the police warned her that she was being kept under surveillance.

4.    In the evening at around 8 pm a police personnel called Ritu went to her flat and informed her that she had been deputed as a PSO to watch her actions and that she should share her location with the police. She was warned not to leave the house and if she did, she should share her live location or action would be taken. Aahana was very intimidated and scared by these utterly illegal actions of the police and remained silent.

5.    The following day, the said PSO went to her flat in the morning, repeatedly ringing the doorbell. She said that she would be stationed outside and demanded that Aahana again send her the live location. It was later during the day that Aahana called me and narrated the above events. She was tearful and extremely anxious.

6.    I immediately called the said police personnel Ritu. She informed me that she had been given this duty by the New Rajinder Nagar Thana. She admitted although she was not present, she knew that Aahana had been taken from the gym by the police and that she had been warned not to join any protest and that she was to inform the Thana if Aahana left the house. After my call to her, Aahana informed me that she got another call from the police, this time a person called Kiran asking if she had left the house.

7.    Sir you will agree that this is the most extraordinary misuse of police authority. A young woman is picked up by predominantly male police without any warrant; she is interrogated, again without any warrant; her phone is checked, her privacy violated, again without any authority, she is placed under surveillance and virtual house arrest without any charges or explanation. This is a wholly illegal action by Delhi Police against a young woman.

I have brought your attention to the facts which I believe are true and indisputable. Action should and must be taken against the police officers concerned and those who gave illegal orders to harass, intimidate, frighten and coerce a young woman.

As it happens Aahana is in the middle of her preparations for a public exam, but even if she was not and had decided to join the demonstration, it is her democratic right to do so and the police have no right to prevent her. It is atrocious that they should attempt to do so. How many other young people were faced with the same police harassment and threats not to join the demonstration?

On the one hand, the Delhi Police claims it is committed to protect constitutional rights and therefore gave permission for the gathering by the CJP and on the other hand, the same police is intimidating and threatening young people like Aahana not to join the demonstration. It is highly condemnable and unacceptable.

I hope you will take immediate action. If any further clarification is required, it can be provided.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

Brinda Karat