New Delhi, July 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking the formulation of a National Minimum Protocol to ensure the safety of journalists and media personnel covering public protests, along with a neutral investigation into the alleged attacks on reporters during the recent demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
Filed by advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami in his personal capacity, the petition seeks directions for the protection of journalists, camerapersons and media workers from violence, intimidation, sexual harassment and obstruction while reporting from protest sites.
The plea also seeks preservation of CCTV footage, police videography, drone and body-camera recordings, wireless communication records, medical reports and original video footage provided by journalists or media organisations to aid any investigation.
It further calls for a time-bound probe by officers unconnected with crowd-control operations, protection for victims and witnesses, and a status report detailing complaints received, FIRs registered, evidence preserved and the progress of the investigation.
Referring to incidents reported between July 18 and July 23 during student protests at and around Jantar Mantar, the petition cited allegations of attacks on journalists, including Times Now reporter Dev Kotak, besides claims of intimidation, sexualised abuse and death threats against media personnel. The petitioner clarified that these allegations were cited only to underscore the need for preservation of evidence and an independent investigation.
The PIL emphasised that while peaceful criticism of the media is constitutionally protected, violence, intimidation and destruction of equipment are not. It said the plea seeks to protect both the right to peaceful protest and the freedom of the press through neutral accountability.
The petition also informed the court that related cases concerning the protests are already pending before the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court, and requested that the matter be heard alongside those proceedings.
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