The Delhi Police has filed an FIR against women workers of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) in connection with a bus assault case, sources told India Today even as Congress MP Rahul Gandhi publicly backed a female protester who alleged that she was assaulted by a woman police constable during a demonstration.
The development comes amid a wider legal and political confrontation over the alleged assault and detention of protesters, journalists and lawyers in Delhi. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear public interest litigations (PILs) concerning these allegations, with 22 petitions listed before the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
The petitions also seek contempt action against the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and Delhi Police over the closure of roads, metro services and railway facilities.
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi addressed a press conference alongside protesters and introduced the woman who alleged assault as “our sherni”.
“I want to introduce our 'sherni'. She was beaten, but she was not afraid. There was no hatred in her heart,” Gandhi said.
VIDEO | Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi addresses a press conference with protesters, introduces a female protester as "our sherni". He says, "I want to introduce our 'sherni'. She was beaten, but she was not afraid. There was no hatred in her heart." The female protester alleges that she was assaulted by a woman police constable during a protest. She says, "Yesterday, all NSUI workers were protesting peacefully when we were detained in three buses. There were many of our colleagues, around 30-40 in each bus. In our bus, there were two girls and 20-30 other NSUI colleagues. There was a woman constable in the bus named Chanchal Yadav. After being detained, we tried to get off the bus again through the gate and continue leading the protest. We tried to stop the bus and sat down beneath it so that our protest could somehow continue. But Chanchal Yadav grabbed me tightly by the neck and pushed me, causing me to fall backwards onto the seat. She then scratched my face with her nails, leaving scratches across my face and near my ear. When I resisted her, she slapped me so hard and said, 'Here, take another slap across your face.'" (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd)— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 14, 2026
The protester alleged that NSUI members had been detained in three buses during a peaceful demonstration. According to her account, each bus carried around 30-40 people, while her bus had two women and around 20-30 other NSUI members.
She alleged that a woman constable grabbed her by the neck and pushed her backwards onto a seat when protesters tried to get off the bus to continue their demonstration. She further alleged that the constable scratched her face and the area near her ear with her nails before slapping her.
Earlier, NSUI National President Vinod Jakhar visited Parliament Street Police Station on Wednesday to demand an FIR over the alleged assault on the organisation's female members by Delhi Police personnel.
Jakhar said the Deputy Commissioner of Police had verbally assured the delegation that an FIR would be registered within 24 hours. He warned that the NSUI delegation would return to the police station if the assurance was not fulfilled.
“The assault on our female members is a serious matter that cannot be brushed aside. Our members were raising their voices, and they deserve justice, not violence,” Jakhar said, demanding a fair investigation and strict action against those responsible.
The NSUI said it would continue to pursue the matter through democratic and legal means.
Meanwhile, Abhijeet Dipke, Neha Bora and Kapil Sibal are scheduled to hold a press conference on Thursday. Dipke's press conference is slated for 2 pm at the Press Club of India.
The issues expected to be raised include the demand to reclaim Jantar Mantar, the arrests of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, and the controversy surrounding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Supreme Court hearing on the 22 petitions is expected to bring further scrutiny to the allegations concerning the detention and assault of protesters, journalists and lawyers, as well as the restrictions imposed on public movement and transport in the national capital.
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