Two Malayali students from Zakir Husain Delhi College have accused the Delhi Police of subjecting them to brutal custodial assault and public humiliation after being falsely implicated in a theft case near the Red Fort on September 24.

The students, both first-year Political Science undergraduates, told Timeline that their ordeal began when a mobile phone seller and a group of men wrongly accused them of stealing. Despite showing proof of genuine transactions, the students were branded as thieves.

One of the victims, Ashwant, said a police officer on duty ignored their explanation, physically assaulted them, and even handed over his phone to the complainant. Matters worsened when they approached a nearby police booth, where locals allegedly joined in reinforcing the false charges. Dressed in Kerala’s traditional attire, the mundu, the students said they were mocked and humiliated in public.

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The victims allege they were then dragged to a police station, where the abuse turned violent. Ashwant recounted being beaten with fibre sticks, stamped on, punched in the face, and tortured for over two hours. His friend claimed police officers also demanded ₹20,000 to drop the case.

The students believe they were targeted partly because they could not speak Hindi and were new to Delhi, having arrived only a month ago.

Following the incident, they filed a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner of Police and are preparing to approach the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for justice.

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The Delhi Police, however, stated that an inquiry was conducted and the allegations were found to be “unsubstantiated.”

Meanwhile, Kerala MP John Brittas has written to the Delhi Police Commissioner, urging immediate action and accountability for the alleged assault.