On October 30, 23-year-old Kshitij Kumar, a sub-editor with The Quint, was picked up from Kathputli Colony and detained at the Ranjith Nagar police station for over six hours. Kumar had gone to the Colony to cover the demolition drive being carried out by the Delhi Development Authority.

“A source had called me in the morning stating the police had arrived with JCB machines,” Kumar told Newslaundry. Talking about why the police had apprehended him, Kumar said, “They were unhappy with somebody coming in their way and reporting about people they wanted to get rid off.”

Around 10 people were picked up by the police, the reporter claimed. Repeated requests by Kumar to call his office were turned down. Neither was Kumar informed about the reasons for his arrest – an offence under Section 50(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973, The Quint said in a statement.

Kumar also claims that constables threatened to beat him up if he didn’t keep quiet. Nevertheless, Kumar showed his press card to a constable at the station. However, it didn’t work.

In the meantime, The Quint had been trying to locate Kumar. However, when they reached out to the station house officer of the Ranjith Nagar Police Station they were informed that Kumar wasn’t there. “This points to a shocking procedural lapse on behalf of the police,” The Quint’s statement read.

Kumar was let go only after his father tracked him down. “My father was informed by my office that I hadn’t reported back,” Kumar said. “He found my car parked near the Shadipur flyover and was told by some people at the site that a few people had been picked up by the police.”

“I was driving when my wife and I received a call from our son’s office,” said Deep Kumar, Kshitij’s father. “We were absolutely terrified that our son had left at 1 pm and still wasn’t back,” the 51-year-old added. “I left my car and sought help from people commuting on two-wheelers to reach the spot faster. No one was willing to help,” he said.

Subsequently, Kshitij’s father reached the spot and showed his son’s pictures to the people nearby. Following which, he called the police headquarters to get the contact number of Ranjith Nagar police station. “When I called up the police station, I was told that no one by the name of Kshitij Kumar was at the station.” They asked me to search hospitals nearby, Kshitij’s father said. Fearing that his son had been injured, Deep Kumar and his relatives searched emergency and casualties of several nearby hospitals including Metro Hospital and Ganga Ram Hospital.

“Humari kitni buri haalat hui hogi ap samajh sakte hai (You can understand what are our state was.) We were searching hospitals asking if Kshitij Kumar had been admitted,” the father said.

Asked for his reaction when he found his son at the Ranjith Kumar police station, the father said, “Mai to dang reh gaya tha ki mere bete to criminal samajh liya hai (I was shocked to know that they had assumed that my son was a criminal), uske press card dikhane ke baad bhi (despite showing his press card).”

Newslaundry reached out to Inspector Prahlad, SHO Ranjith Nagar police station, to confirm Kumar’s claims. However, the SHO told Newslaundry that no one was arrested. Asked for a confirmation if Kumar was brought to the station, Inspector Prahlad said, “I am not confirming anything.” He added, “Some fellows were there who were caught at the time of stone pelting. They were let go after due enquiry. They were cornered from the spot so that life and property could be secured.”

Inspector Prahlad also told Newslaundry that there was “no way” that Kumar had presented his press identity card. The SHO stated that if the press id was shown to anyone at the police station then “naturally koi issue nai hota (It wouldn’t have become an issue)”.

As of now, Kshitij’s father is not looking at pursuing the matter. However, he hopes that the police proactively brings about changes in their behaviour, Deep Kumar told Newslaundry.

The Quint, however, has written a letter to the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh including Kumar’s allegations that he was physically assaulted and confined by the police for more than six hours. In its letter, The Quint has demanded action against the police officers involved.

“It is important to talk about this to ensure that the next time when a reporter goes out cover a demolition there should be no fear of being arrested,” Kumar told Newslaundry.

On October 31, the Delhi High Court had stayed the demolition of huts in the colony, a day after the DDA razed 500 structures.