India, Oct. 13 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the personal presence of a senior Delhi Police officer on Thursday to explain allegations that women journalists covering the recent protests in the capital were assaulted and detained, stepping up its scrutiny of the police crackdown on demonstrators and mediapersons.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant made the observation after senior advocate Indira Jaising mentioned a petition filed by the Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI), seeking safeguards for journalists covering protests, particularly women journalists. The bench agreed to list the petition on Thursday along with the pending matters concerning alleged police excesses and restrictions imposed ahead of the protests....