Published Oct 15, 2026 | 12:40 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 15, 2026 | 12:43 PM
Athira (left) after the alleged assault; a Delhi Police personnel assaults a protester on camera (right).
Synopsis: Kerala Police have registered a Zero FIR against Delhi Police personnel after NSUI activist and law student Athira C of Kozhikode alleged that she was assaulted, threatened with death and subjected to an attempt to disrobe her while in custody during the anti-SIR protests in New Delhi on Tuesday. Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said participation in a protest could not justify violence against a detained person and assured that the State government would pursue all available legal avenues to ensure action.
Keralam Police have registered a Zero FIR against Delhi Police personnel on a complaint by NSUI activist and law student Athira C of Kozhikode, who alleged that she was physically assaulted, threatened with death and subjected to an attempt to disrobe her while in custody during the anti-SIR protests in New Delhi on Tuesday, 13 October.
The FIR was registered at the Museum police station in Thiruvananthapuram in the early hours of Thursday, based on a complaint Athira submitted to the State Police Chief. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the State government would pursue all available legal avenues to ensure action on the complaint.
The case has been registered under Sections 74, 76, 115, 117, 126, 296(b), 351(3) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The provisions cover offences including assault or criminal force against a woman, attempts to disrobe her, voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful restraint and criminal intimidation.
According to the complaint, Athira and several other protesters were detained after the demonstration at Connaught Place and transported by bus. She alleged that Delhi Police personnel forcibly pulled her out of the vehicle and dragged her along a public road while attempting to tear her clothes.
The complaint states that the assault continued near the Connaught Place police station. Athira alleged that police personnel struck her on the face, pinned her arms behind her back and kicked her in the lower abdomen and private parts. She also alleged that they tried to seize her mobile phone and, when she resisted, tightened the shawl around her neck and threatened to kill her.
This is allarming. Sev @nsui protesters were picked up and now at CP PS. They allege that they were beaten by few woman officers. A girl Athira from Kerala is said to have been kicked in the stomach as well. And now they aren’t allowing any lawyer or doctor to enter. https://t.co/4ThcIMwOiT
— RAHUL (@RahulSeeker) October 13, 2026
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Chennithala said participation in a protest could not justify violence against a detained person. Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, he accused Delhi Police of committing a serious error in handling the activist.
He alleged that Athira had been taken to a location without CCTV cameras and subjected to severe physical abuse, leaving injuries on her body. He also alleged that her clothes had been torn and that no one had intervened to address her grievances despite her raising the issue.
The Minister further alleged that Delhi Police had not registered an FIR in connection with the incident. The State government was examining the available legal options to take the matter forward, he said.
A Zero FIR can be registered at any police station, irrespective of where the alleged offence occurred. The case is then transferred to the police station with jurisdiction over the place of occurrence.
Further investigation into the case will require coordination with the Delhi Police.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
