Highlights
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta Addresses Racial Abuse Incident
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta recently spoke out regarding the reported racial abuse and criminal intimidation targeting three women from Arunachal Pradesh in Malviya Nagar, South Delhi.
In a statement on X, the Chief Minister expressed strong disapproval of the incident, affirming support for the affected individuals. She stated that Delhi is a home for everyone, where the dignity, respect, and safety of every citizen are of utmost importance. She pledged to meet the women personally and confirmed that law enforcement is fully engaged in taking appropriate legal action. Strict measures will be enforced against anyone found guilty of such acts. Any form of harassment or discrimination against women will not be accepted.
Gupta emphasised that the safety of all women is a primary duty for everyone.
Video Message to the Community
In a video message accompanying her tweet, Rekha Gupta noted that the misconduct against the women from the Northeast in Malviya Nagar has been brought to her attention, particularly through various influencers tagging her in their posts. She mentioned plans to meet the affected women soon.
nॉर्थ ईस्ट की हमारी बहनों के साथ हुई इस घटना की मैं कड़ी निंदा करती हूं और उनके साथ मजबूती से खड़ी हूं।दिल्ली हर किसी की है। यहां हर नागरिक की गरिमा, सम्मान और सुरक्षा सर्वोपरि है। मैं स्वयं उनसे मिलूंगी। पुलिस पूरी जिम्मेदारी से कानूनी कार्रवाई कर रही है और हम यह सुनिश्चित… pic.twitter.com/7CIRix6bC3
— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) February 25, 2026
Equal Rights for the Northeast Community
Gupta stressed that individuals from the Northeast possess equal rights within the capital. She stated that everyone from the Northeast, like any other state, has the right to reside and work in Delhi. Many residents from border states come to the city, labouring hard to sustain their livelihoods and actively contributing to its growth. She assured that misconduct against this community would face zero tolerance and assured strict actions against the perpetrators.
She also conveyed her intention to engage with the broader Northeast community in Delhi to comprehend their issues better. If certain policy reforms are necessary to tackle systemic problems, her administration will contemplate those adjustments. Gupta welcomed individuals to reach out to her directly with any suggestions or complaints.
The Incident Overview
The incident occurred on February 20, 2026, in Malviya Nagar. Three women from Arunachal Pradesh were tenants in an apartment complex and were overseeing electrical installation in their residence. During the drilling work, it is alleged that dust fell into the apartment below, sparking a confrontation. What started as a disagreement over construction debris apparently escalated into incidents of racial abuse and criminal intimidation. The women reported experiencing mental harassment and humiliation, with no physical harm reported.
Arrests and Charges Filed
According to reports from news agency ANI, the Delhi Police confirmed the arrest of two suspects, Ruby Jain and her spouse Harsh, in relation to the incident. An FIR has been filed at the Malviya Nagar Police Station citing provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 79 (actions intended to insult a woman’s modesty)
- Section 351(2) (criminal intimidation)
- Section 196 (promoting discord between groups based on religion, race, or birthplace)
- Section 3(5) (actions performed by multiple individuals with a shared intention)
Furthermore, police indicated that relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act are also being applied, depending on the evidence available. An Assistant Commissioner of Police is currently overseeing the investigation, which is under the close watch of senior officials.
(With inputs from ANI)
