Kerala Police Register Zero FIR Over Alleged Assault on NSUI Female Activist in Delhi

Kerala Police on Thursday registered a zero FIR over the alleged assault on NSUI activist Athira Vijayan during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Delhi, officials said.

The FIR was registered at the Museum police station in Thiruvananthapuram following a complaint submitted by Vijayan to the state police chief. A zero FIR allows a police station to register a case irrespective of where the alleged offence occurred, with the investigation subsequently transferred to the jurisdiction concerned.According to the FIR, the incident took place at Connaught Place on October 13 during a flash protest organised by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI).

The complaint alleges that Vijayan and other activists were transported by bus to Connaught Place and forcibly dragged onto the road. It further claims that attempts were made to tear her clothes.

The FIR alleges that the accused subsequently assaulted her near the Connaught Place police station, struck her on the face, restrained her arms and kicked her in the private parts and lower abdomen. They also allegedly attempted to snatch her phone.

According to the complaint, when Vijayan resisted, the accused tightened the shawl around her neck and threatened to kill her. The alleged incident caused injuries to her neck, requiring hospital treatment, besides causing humiliation and mental distress, the FIR states.

The case invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to assault on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, attempted disrobing, voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful restraint, verbal abuse and criminal intimidation. Officials said the FIR does not name any police personnel or other individuals as accused.

Vijayan had earlier alleged that Delhi Police failed to register a case despite her complaint. Kerala Police said the investigation would be transferred to the concerned police station in Delhi.