Delhi Couple Arrested for Racial Abuse of Arunachal Women

New Delhi, February 25, 2026: In a significant move toward justice for the Northeast community in the national capital, the Delhi Police arrested a couple on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, for allegedly racially abusing and intimidating three women from Arunachal Pradesh in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar.

The arrests follow widespread social media outrage after a video of the incident—which occurred on February 20—surfaced online, showing the couple hurling derogatory slurs and sexist remarks at the women.

The Spark: A Dispute Over Dust

The incident reportedly began as a trivial neighborhood disagreement on the afternoon of February 20. The three women, residing on the fourth floor of an apartment complex, had hired an electrician to install an air conditioning unit. During the drilling process, some dust and debris accidentally fell onto the first-floor balcony of their neighbors, identified as Harsh Singh and Ruby Jain.

What should have been a routine conversation about residential maintenance quickly devolved into a volatile confrontation. According to the victims, the couple didn’t just complain about the dust; they targeted the women’s ethnicity and character.

Viral Video and Racial Slurs

In the footage that went viral, the accused woman is purportedly heard calling the victims “momo” and “gutter-chaap,” while making baseless, derogatory insinuations about their profession. She reportedly claimed the women were running a “massage parlour” and used the slur “dhandhewali.”

The male accused, Harsh Singh, was also seen in the video using intimidating language. Despite a police officer being present during the altercation attempting to de-escalate the situation, the verbal assault continued, with the couple allegedly boasting about their social standing and political connections.

Escalation and Police Action

Following a formal complaint, the Malviya Nagar Police initially registered an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). However, as the investigation progressed and evidence of the racial nature of the attack grew, the police invoked the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The charges against the couple now include:

• Section 79 (BNS): Words or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman.
• Section 196 (BNS): Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of race or place of birth.
• Section 351(2) (BNS): Criminal intimidation.
• SC/ST Act Provisions: Due to the targeted nature of the abuse against members of the Northeast community.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), Ankit Chauhan, confirmed that an officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) is now leading the probe to ensure a thorough investigation.

Political and Social Outcry

The incident has drawn condemnation from high-ranking officials. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that his office has been in constant contact with the victims and the Delhi Police, emphasizing that “any instance of misconduct against people from the Northeast in the national capital is taken seriously.”

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu also intervened, speaking directly with the Delhi Police Commissioner. He termed the behavior “absolutely unacceptable” and “shameful,” reaffirming that the safety and dignity of people from the Northeast remain a top priority.

Current Status

While the accused, Harsh Singh, had previously expressed “shame” in a media statement, claiming the remarks were made in the “heat of the moment,” the police have moved forward with the arrests to send a clear message against racial discrimination.

The victims, who include students and young professionals, have expressed a sense of isolation but remain firm in their demand for a formal apology and legal accountability, stating that such remarks insult the dignity of the entire Northeastern community.