Chandigarh, February 2: The Press Gallery Committee of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha condemned the illegal detention of Punjab journalists by Delhi Police, calling the incident a stain on democratic norms.
The journalists, covering the Delhi Assembly elections, were detained for eight hours at the Tughlaq Road Police Station on Wednesday, despite carrying valid identification.
Committee Chairman Ashwani Chawla criticized the detention, stating that journalists were fulfilling their duty when they reported on a political organization distributing alcohol to influence voters—a clear violation of the code of conduct.
The committee has filed a formal complaint with the Chief Election Commissioner, urging strict action against the responsible police personnel.
The detained group included a member of the Punjab Assembly Press Gallery Committee, and their release only came after news of the detention spread through media channels.
Chawla noted the inhumane treatment journalists endured and reiterated the role of the media as democracy’s fourth pillar, demanding protection for those upholding their professional duties.
The Chandigarh Press Club has also condemned the incident, aligning with the committee’s call to prevent such occurrences in the future.
