Decide rape, forced beef-eating complaint against journalist Omar Rashid in 6 weeks: Delhi High Court to NHRC

The Delhi High Court on Friday asked the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to decide within six weeks the complaint pending before it concerning a woman’s social media post alleging rape and forced beef-eating by journalist Omar Rashid [Omar Rashid v. National Human Rights Commission & Anr].

On the last date of hearing, the Court had sought the action taken report (ATR) from the Delhi Police with respect to the complaint against Rashid.

Justice Sachin Datta today stated,

"The limited relief canvassed by the petitioner is that NHRC be directed to decide and dispose of the complaint. Considering the limited nature of the relief sought, the petition is disposed of with a request to NHRC to decide the complaint as expeditiously as possible and preferably within 6 weeks."

The Court granted Rashid the liberty to seek the ATR and replies submitted by Delhi Police.

"As far as the supply of ATR/reply submitted by Delhi Police, the petitioner shall be entitled to make request to NHRC in this regard which shall be duly considered," the Court stated.

With these directions, the Court disposed of the petition.

Today the Standing Counsel for Delhi Police Ashish Dixit told the Court that they have identified the woman who had made the allegations anonymously on social media. He stated that the woman is under a genuine apprehension of being influenced and requested for an undertaking from Rashid that he will not contact her directly or indirectly.

The matter pertains to an anonymous social media post carrying scathing and false allegations of sexual misconduct and forced beef-eating made against Rashid. The NHRC registered a complaint on the basis of this anonymous post and directed the Delhi Police to file its ATR. Rashid moved the High Court against this order.

Before Court, Rashid stated that the complaint before NHRC has been pending for 5 months, during which time he has been unemployed. 

“This person has destroyed my life. I am a celebrated journalist, I have been jobless for the past 5 months. This person has not come forward, no FIR has been registered. My prayer is very short, I just want a time-bound decision by the NHRC since the complaint has been pending for 5 months. I want a copy of the ATR,” he submitted. 

The journalist told the Court that as a “victim of the post”, he had written to the NHRC, volunteering to join the investigation.

In the post, the woman alleged that the journalist, who was associated with news portal The Wire, raped and abused her, and used his Delhi's “liberal" media circles to trap her.

In its order dated May 23, 2025, the NHRC took cognisance of the complaint filed by a group called Sahyadri Rights Forum and directed the Delhi Police to file its ATR.

The Commission noted that the woman had complained to the management of The Wire and sought details of the steps taken under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (PoSH Act). 

On June 9, the Commission took exception that despite specific directions, the Delhi Police had still not filed the ATR. 

“The Commission takes it seriously and directs its Registry to issue a reminder to the CP, New Delhi to submit the requisite action taken report to the Commission within a period of 2 weeks, failing which the Commission may initiate coercive process u/s 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993,” the NHRC stated. 

Since June 9, the matter has not been taken up by NHRC. Hence, Rashid moved the High Court seeking intervention for a time-bound decision on the NHRC complaint.

Central Government Standing Counsel Ramaswamy appeared for NHRC.

Central Government Standing Counsel Ashish Dixit appeared for Delhi Police.

Advocate Shaurya Mittal appeared for Rashid.

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