Date: 2026-02-20Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported physical and sexual assault on a journalist covering students' protest in the North Campus of Delhi University
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has taken *suo motu* cognizance of a media report regarding the physical and sexual assault of a woman journalist on 13th February 2026 while she was covering a student protest at the North Campus of Delhi University. Reportedly, the protestors assaulted her after identifying her caste and threatened to parade her naked before she lost consciousness. The NHRC has issued a notice to the Delhi Police Commissioner, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks, as the incident raises a serious issue of human rights violation. According to the media report carried on 14th February 2026, the journalist alleged that she was targeted due to her caste. She escaped with the help of faculty and women police personnel. The press release was issued on 20 FEB 2026 at 2:45PM by PIB Delhi. The release ID is 2230690 and the visitor counter is at 302.
Key Entities Referenced
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): The primary investigating body taking suo motu cognizance of the incident.
Delhi Police Commissioner: Entity to whom the NHRC has issued a notice for a detailed report.
Delhi University: Location where the incident occurred.
National Human Rights Commission
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the
reported physical and sexual assault on a
journalist covering students' protest in the North
Campus of Delhi University
Reportedly, she was attacked after identifying her caste
The Commission issues a notice to the Delhi Police
Commissioner, calling for a detailed report on the matter
within two weeks
Posted On: 20 FEB 2026 2:45PM by PIB Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report
that a woman journalist was subjected to physical and sexual assault by a mob while she was on a
professional assignment to cover a students’ protest against the UGC regulations in the North Campus of
Delhi University on 13th February 2026. Reportedly, the protesters, after identifying the journalist’s caste,
began assaulting her and some also threatened to parade her naked before she lost consciousness.
The CommissIon has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of
violation of the human rights of the victim. Therefore, it has issued a notice to the Delhi Police
Commissioner, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two Weeks.
According to the media report, carried on 14th February 2026, the victim journalist has alleged that she
was specifically targeted because of her caste. She escaped her ordeal with the help of some faculty and
women police personnel.
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NSK
(Release ID: 2230690) Visitor Counter : 302
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