Supreme Court Notices Issued on Journalist Plea Seeking FIR Against Rahul Gandhi

The Supreme Court of India has formally issued notice on an application submitted by a media professional who alleged that she was assaulted outside the court premises. The matter came before a bench presided over by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant after it was mentioned for an urgent hearing on October 27, 2026.

This intervention touches upon critical questions regarding the safety of journalists on duty and the handling of political gatherings near judicial institutions. The applicant has approached the highest court to seek immediate directions for the registration of a formal criminal complaint, preservation of critical evidence, and protection from ongoing harassment.

Background

The incident is alleged to have taken place on October 12, when Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi arrived at the Supreme Court alongside other leaders to file a legal petition. The applicant, identified as journalist Richa Parashar, stated that she was present outside the court gate to perform her regular reporting duties while being eleven weeks and three days pregnant.

According to her legal plea, she was forcefully pushed toward the gate in the middle of the crowd, causing her to lose balance and land heavily on her hands. She stated that her mobile phone was destroyed and her recording microphone was detached during the fall. She further recounted that she pleaded with the crowd to stop pushing, but her requests went unheard amid loud political sloganeering.

Following the event, the journalist experienced abdominal pain and was admitted to the emergency ward of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital late that evening. Medical professionals discharged her with medication, diagnostic screening advice, and warnings to return if complications arose. Her application notes that she subsequently faced severe mental distress, bleeding hands, and social media disparagement, while the local police failed to register a First Information Report despite a formal complaint filed with the Deputy Commissioner of Police.

What the Court Said

The matter was presented before the Chief Justice of India by Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia through an oral mentioning. After hearing the initial grounds raised in the application, the court intervened by deciding to formally hear the respondents.

The bench ordered notice to be issued to the opposite parties to obtain their formal responses to the allegations and the prayers contained in the application. As captured in the application brought before the bench, the grievance asserts that:

“The push was delivered openly, in a crowded place, in the presence of security personnel, journalists and other persons, despite her express pleas...”

The court's decision to issue notice means that the respondents, including the named political leaders and authorities, will have to submit their stand before the bench on the questions raised in the plea.

The Law Explained Simply

When an individual approaches a court seeking an order to register a criminal complaint, they are typically asserting that authorities have neglected their statutory duty to investigate an alleged offence. Under Indian criminal procedure, when a complaint detailing serious, recognizable offences is submitted to the police, the law expects the authorities to begin a formal probe by registering a case.

In this dispute, the complainant made reference to multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions dealing with the use of force, causing hurt, acts endangering life or personal safety, and actions taken with common intention. These provisions are meant to punish intentional physical harm, reckless actions that put human life in peril, and offences committed jointly by groups of individuals.

Additionally, the applicant sought impleadment, which is a legal procedure where a non-party asks to join an existing lawsuit because their interests or experiences are directly relevant to the broader subject being examined by the court. Here, the applicant connected her personal grievance to a broader pending petition challenging political protests inside court spaces.

Impact on Common People

This case highlights the everyday safety challenges faced by professionals working in congested public areas, especially women and working mothers. It brings attention to the fundamental expectation that public figures, their staff, and security teams must exercise care toward bystanders and media personnel in public venues.

For common citizens, the proceedings also underscore the importance of holding law enforcement accountable when complaints are submitted. When a citizen approaches the police with medical records and evidence of an injury, an objective inquiry is expected regardless of the profile or political standing of the individuals involved.

Furthermore, the matter focuses on the decorum of judicial spaces. The outcome could lead to stricter regulations concerning mass political gatherings, rallies, and demonstrations near court entrances, ensuring safer access for ordinary litigants, legal practitioners, and court visitors.

What To Do in a Similar Situation

If you or someone you know faces an unexpected physical injury, assault, or harassment in a public space, consider the following general steps:

• Seek immediate medical attention at an established hospital and ensure that all injuries, symptoms, and doctor observations are documented in a formal medical report.
• Preserve all physical and electronic evidence immediately, such as broken personal belongings, photographs of injuries, video footage, and witness contact information.
• File a formal, written police complaint promptly with the nearest police station or higher supervisory police officials, retaining an acknowledged copy with a date stamp.
• Request the preservation of surrounding electronic records, such as public CCTV footage, before regular automated deletion periods pass.
• Consult an experienced advocate promptly to explore available remedies in court if authorities delay or decline to take action on the complaint.