News outlets report journalists detained and later released in Delhi

Journalists from Scroll, Navbharat Times and Newslaundry were detained on October 10 amid restrictions ahead of a Delhi protest, The Hindu reported, citing editors. The newspaper said they were later released.

Scroll executive editor Supriya Sharma reported the detention of political editor Shoaib Daniyal and reporter Ayush Tiwari. She said Daniyal was in a South Delhi residential area far from the planned protest. Scroll added that he had been waiting for a taxi, while Tiwari was detained near ITO.

Navbharat Times editor Ashish Pandey said Hritik Joshi and Rahul Charas were detained while filming. He stressed that their media identification cards were prominently displayed.

Newslaundry editor-in-chief Manisha Pande reported the detention of Ashwine Singh, Astha Savyasachi and Anmol Pritam. The outlets said their employees identified themselves as journalists and showed their credentials.

The detentions took place amid attempts to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Organisers criticised electoral-roll revision while police restricted access to gathering places.

The Hindu reported that the named journalists were released. The editors’ accounts describe the circumstances of the detentions but do not constitute a judicial assessment of police conduct.

Article 19(1)(a) of India’s Constitution protects freedom of speech and expression. That protection does not exempt journalists from lawful police action.