Rahul Gandhi Alleges Delhi Police Assault Left Kerala Student Athira Deaf in One Ear

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, October 14, alleged that Delhi Police personnel assaulted student activist Athira Vijayan during her detention in the national capital.

Addressing a press conference, Gandhi said Athira had lost hearing in one ear after being struck. He compared her case with that of another protester whose eye injury he had highlighted earlier.

Athira, a law student at Delhi University from Kerala and an activist with the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), has alleged that she was assaulted after being detained during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

What does Athira allege? According to Athira’s account, she and other protesters were being transported in a police bus when she asked why no female police officer was present.

She said the bus later stopped outside the Connaught Place police station, where she was allegedly hit repeatedly across the face. Athira claimed the assault injured her eye and damaged her ear, leaving her unable to hear properly.

Malayalam news outlet Onmanorama reported that Athira suffered injuries including a split lip and hearing loss in her right ear. It also reported that she was receiving treatment at Delhi’s Lady Hardinge Hospital.

These are serious allegations. The extent of her injuries and the circumstances in which they occurred require medical documentation and an impartial investigation.

Why were the students protesting?

The protest was linked to demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Congress-affiliated NSUI has accused the police of using excessive force against its members during the demonstrations. On October 13, the organisation held a protest outside the Connaught Place police station over the alleged assault on women activists.

The wider dispute concerns both electoral accountability and the treatment of people detained during protests. Allegations of police violence must be investigated separately from the political demands that brought protesters onto the streets.

What is known about the police response?

Media reports said Delhi Police personnel visited the hospital to record Athira’s statement. Onmanorama reported on October 14 that no case had been registered on the basis of her complaint at the time of publication.

The Indian Express also reported allegations of police assault on women NSUI members and said a video circulating online, which reportedly showed a woman protester being dragged by her hair, was under police verification.

A final determination of responsibility will depend on the available evidence, including medical records, witness statements, video footage and the police account. The allegations should not be treated as a proven finding until the investigation establishes what happened.

Why the case matters

The case raises questions about the treatment of women during police detention and the safeguards that should apply when people are taken into custody.

Under Indian law, arrest and detention must follow established legal procedures. Allegations of physical abuse by officials require proper examination, and any proven misconduct should be dealt with through the legal process.

For now, Athira’s account and Rahul Gandhi’s statements have brought renewed attention to the alleged treatment of student protesters in Delhi. The key questions remain whether the injuries can be medically documented, what happened inside the police vehicle and station, and whether an independent and transparent investigation will establish responsibility.