Pregnant journalist files police complaint against Rahul Gandhi over alleged assault

New Delhi: Journalist Richa Parashar has submitted a police complaint against Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi over an alleged assault during the INDIA bloc’s march to the Supreme Court on Monday.

Parashar, who works for news website Oneindia, approached the deputy commissioner of police of the New Delhi district on Friday. She sought the immediate registration of a First Information Report against Gandhi and others. The opposition march concerned a petition over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision process.

Journalist alleges physical assault

Parashar said she is three months pregnant. She alleged that Gandhi pulled her hand and his bodyguards pushed her away, causing her to fall onto the Supreme Court steps and hit her stomach. Speaking from a hospital bed earlier, she said she had waited near a gate inside the court premises to seek a soundbite from Gandhi.

“I was inside the Supreme Court premises, positioned right by a gate, waiting for him to exit so I could get a soundbite, specifically from Rahul Gandhi… Before I could fully process what was happening, Rahul Gandhi moved forward with a very unpleasant expression. Suddenly, he grabbed my hand and yanked me forward. He pulled me so hard, and then – it all happened so fast – his bodyguards shoved me away. I fell face-first onto the Supreme Court steps,” she said.

Complaint seeks FIR

In her complaint, Parashar alleged mistreatment, threats and the use of force. She cited provisions concerning assault or criminal force with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty, voluntarily causing hurt, and rash or negligent acts that endanger human life or personal safety. The complaint seeks police action. The information provided does not establish whether police have registered an FIR.

Congress disputes her account

Congress rejected the allegation and said the video Parashar released did not show the sequence of events she described. In a post on X, Congress leader Alka Lamba questioned the timeline between the alleged incident and Parashar’s hospital visit. She also accused the journalist’s sister of approaching a BJP MLA’s office to create propaganda.

BJP attacks Gandhi

The BJP accused Congress of trying to discredit Parashar instead of addressing her allegations. Party spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari criticised Gandhi and questioned Congress’s claims about standing up for women. He also targeted Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s women’s empowerment slogan.