Journalist accuses Rahul Gandhi of assault, files complaint over Oct 12 march
Synopsis
A pregnant journalist alleges Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pushed her to the ground during his Supreme Court march on 12 October, causing physical injury and mental trauma. She has now filed a formal criminal complaint with Delhi Police under multiple BNS provisions — and says the Supreme Court itself has taken cognisance and ordered video preservation.
Key Takeaways
Richa Parashar , 28 , a three-month-pregnant journalist and Associate Producer, filed a criminal complaint against Rahul Gandhi on 17 October 2026 .
The alleged assault took place on 12 October during Gandhi's protest march near the Supreme Court in New Delhi .
Parashar claims she was pushed, lost her balance, fell, and was subsequently taken to emergency care .
The complaint invokes BNS 2023 Sections 74, 115(2), 131, 125 , and 3(5) , and names Gandhi along with others present.
Parashar states the Supreme Court has taken cognisance and ordered preservation of original video footage from the incident.
Delhi Police had not confirmed registration of an FIR as of Saturday.
A 28-year-old pregnant journalist, Richa Parashar, on Saturday, 17 October 2026, filed a criminal complaint against Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, alleging he pushed her during a protest march towards the Supreme Court on 12 October. Parashar, a resident of Sector 78, Noida and an Associate Producer at a news website, met the Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, and handed over the complaint seeking immediate registration of a First Information Report (FIR).
What the Complaint Alleges
In her complaint, Parashar alleged she was covering Rahul Gandhi's protest near the Supreme Court when Gandhi pushed her as she attempted to ask him questions. 'I asked questions from Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and suddenly he pushed me towards the gate. I pleaded, repeatedly, that I should not be pushed. The pleas were ignored,' she stated in the complaint.
She added: 'The push was so hard and with force that I lost my balance and fell.' Parashar further stated: 'The act was committed openly, in a crowded public place, in the presence of security personnel, journalists and other persons. It was a push delivered despite my express pleas, and not a mere jostle of the crowd.'
Medical and Personal Impact Cited
Parashar was reportedly three months pregnant at the time of the alleged incident. She stated in her complaint that she was taken to emergency care following the fall, and that her pregnancy now requires continuing medical supervision. 'A woman in the first trimester of pregnancy was pushed to the ground and had to be taken to emergency care. The pain, fear and mental distress I suffered, and the continuing medical supervision my pregnancy now requires, are direct consequences of this act,' she said.
She further stated that the incident has caused her 'serious mental trauma' and made her fearful of carrying out her professional work.
Sections Invoked Under BNS 2023
The complaint seeks action under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. These include Section 74 (assault or criminal force against a woman likely to outrage her modesty), Section 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), Section 131 (assault or criminal force without grave and sudden provocation), Section 125 (rash or negligent acts endangering human life or personal safety), and Section 3(5) (joint liability for criminal acts committed by several persons in furtherance of common intention). The complaint names Rahul Gandhi and others present.
Supreme Court Takes Cognisance
Notably, Parashar stated in her complaint that the Supreme Court has already taken cognisance of the 12 October incident and issued notice, ordering the preservation of original video footage from that day. This development, if confirmed, adds a significant judicial dimension to what began as a policing matter.
Demand for Prompt Investigation
Parashar concluded her complaint with a warning: 'I demand prompt registration of the FIR and a fair, time-bound investigation, failing which I shall pursue every remedy available in law.' As of Saturday, no FIR had been reported as registered by the Delhi Police. The case is likely to intensify political debate around press freedom, the conduct of political protests, and the safety of working journalists — particularly those who are pregnant.
Point of View
And the Supreme Court's reported cognisance — if confirmed — makes this simultaneously a criminal, constitutional, and press-freedom matter. The invocation of multiple BNS provisions, including joint liability under Section 3(5), suggests the complainant intends to hold Gandhi's entire entourage, not just him, to account. What is missing so far is any response from the Congress or Gandhi's office, and the Delhi Police's reluctance — or speed — in registering the FIR will itself become a political data point. Mainstream coverage has largely focused on the political rivalry angle; the more durable question is what this incident reveals about the physical conditions under which journalists, especially women, cover high-voltage political events in India.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Richa Parashar and what is her complaint against Rahul Gandhi?
Richa Parashar is a 28-year-old Associate Producer at a news website who filed a criminal complaint on 17 October 2026 against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging he pushed her during his march towards the Supreme Court on 12 October. She was three months pregnant at the time and says she fell, suffered physical injury, and was taken to emergency care.
What legal sections has Richa Parashar invoked in her complaint?
Parashar's complaint cites BNS 2023 Section 74 (assault against a woman likely to outrage her modesty), Section 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), Section 131 (assault without grave provocation), Section 125 (rash acts endangering life), and Section 3(5) (joint liability for common criminal intention). These sections together cover both the alleged physical act and the potential shared responsibility of others present.
Has the Supreme Court taken any action on the 12 October incident?
According to Parashar's complaint, the Supreme Court has taken cognisance of the incident, issued notice, and ordered the preservation of original video footage from 12 October. This claim, as stated in her complaint, has not been independently verified in the available source.
Has an FIR been registered against Rahul Gandhi in this case?
As of Saturday, 17 October, no FIR had been reported as registered by Delhi Police. Parashar submitted her complaint to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, and has demanded prompt registration, warning she will pursue all legal remedies if the police fail to act.
What was Rahul Gandhi's protest march on 12 October about?
Rahul Gandhi led a protest march towards the Supreme Court on 12 October. The specific cause of the march is not detailed in the available source, but Parashar was present in her professional capacity as a journalist covering the event when the alleged incident occurred.
