Delhi Police Blunder: Journalists Harassed Over Name Mix-Up

Delhi Police Blunder: Wrong Rahul Dragged in Viral Video

On Thursday, a three-member Delhi Police team from Prem Nagar Police Station confronted Noida-based journalists Rahul Saha and his wife, Ayantika Pal, at a petrol pump in Sector 38, Noida, while searching for a cybercriminal named Rahul. A video of the incident, showing the police harassing the couple and forcibly leading Rahul toward a vehicle, has gone viral on social media.

HARASSMENT. TRAUMA.

When some officers claiming to be of @DelhiPolice cyber cell tried to KIDNAP us in broad daylight.

Here's what happened today that has left me and my husband (@rahoolism) traumatized. pic.twitter.com/DLdZuYPMfh

— ayantika pal (@AyantikaTOI) June 19, 2025

Ayantika, Rahul Saha’s wife, posted on X that while refueling at a Noida petrol pump, three individuals claiming to be from Delhi Police’s cyber cell forcibly dragged her husband out of their car and tried to force him into a private vehicle parked nearby. She noted that, conveniently, her husband’s name matched the suspect’s, but the officers wore no uniforms, used no police vehicle, had no warrant, and hadn’t informed Noida Police. Ayantika said they showed their press IDs and Aadhaar, prompting the officers to check Rahul’s face against the wanted criminal’s and only then did the police realise the goof-up.  

@DCP_SHAHDARA please try to train your dragons, namely SI Ritu Dangi, Head Constable Harender and Constable Amit to think before acting. pic.twitter.com/XsZEZtjv8I

— Rahul Saha (@rahoolism) June 19, 2025

Rahul posted on X, addressing Shahdara DCP, urging the Delhi police to train their officers—Sub-Inspector Ritu Dangi, Head Constable Harender, and Constable Amit—to think before acting, and shared pictures of the three individuals. Although Delhi Police issued an apology for the mix-up, the viral video of the incident reveals the careless manner in which the officers had set out to conduct an investigation. 

The gravity of the incident came to light through the video recorded by Ayantika, which captured the confrontation. In the footage, Ayantika is heard repeatedly saying, "What happened?" and "You can’t do this," as Delhi Police officials instruct the couple to exit their car. Despite Rahul and Ayantika repeatedly identifying themselves as journalists, one officer is seen pulling Rahul toward a private vehicle, prompting Ayantika to protest, "No, you can’t do this," and point out that it wasn’t a police vehicle. A brief commotion follows, with the couple consistently asserting their journalistic identities. Only after the police finally check their ID cards do they realise their mistake.

Ayantika took to social media to express her outrage, stating that among the countless Rahuls in India—playfully blaming Shah Rukh Khan’s influence—the Delhi Police wrongly assumed her husband’s name alone was sufficient evidence to apprehend a cybercriminal. She shared that they were terrified, aware of similar incidents in Delhi NCR where imposters posing as police extort money, and refused to enter the private car. Only after she presented Rahul’s Aadhaar did the officers realise they had the wrong person.