Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any political party, and I have never participated in any protest. I am sharing my personal account of what happened to me on 11 and 12 October.

On 11 October, I took the Metro from Green Park and reached Rajiv Chowk around 5:30 pm. My friend and I had gone to Connaught Place to shop.

Around 5:55 pm, we were detained outside Uniqlo.

We were taken on a bus, driven around, and dropped near Pind Balluchi, where we were told to sit on the road. We repeatedly asked why we had been detained. The response was that a senior officer would come and explain. In the meantime, we were told we couldn’t use our phones.

Around 7:15 pm, my friend questioned our detention. When I stood up, personnel I understood to be Delhi Police commandos pushed me to the ground. When my friend came towards me, he was pinned down too.

A little later, an officer told us we would be allowed to go if we got into a van quietly. I asked why we were being held in the first place. He told me not to argue.

When I got up to board, a group of personnel surrounded us and beat us. They took our phones and demanded that we unlock them. I was slapped and made to unlock mine.

Another officer eventually intervened and instructed CRPF personnel to surround us so we wouldn’t be hit again. I want to acknowledge that intervention because it is part of what happened too.

Before my phone was taken away again, I managed to tell my brother where I was and send him a picture of my face.

Around 11, we were taken to a hospital for an MLC examination. I received no treatment for my wounds or medication during that visit. When we came back at police station, I was allowed a brief conversation with my brother and another advocate before being taken to a cell.

Food and water were provided. I couldn’t bring myself to eat or drink. I stayed awake through the night, and lying down hurt my back.

On 12 October, we were taken before a magistrate at Mandir Marg. My wife had come to stand surety for me. When I saw her, I cried. We managed to laugh together for a moment.

The paperwork contained allegations that I had abused and hit police officials. I dispute those allegations. It also contained prefilled answers about an order being provided but no order or copy of any FIR was provided.

When the magistrate asked why I had been there, I said I had gone shopping. I remember being told I would be sent to judicial custody for two days. My lawyers continued making representations, and I was eventually released around 6:30 pm.

What has stayed with me is the helplessness: repeatedly asking why I was being held, struggling to contact my family, and not knowing when I would get home.

I am grateful to my family, the lawyers who helped, the people in the cell who checked on me, and the officer who intervened.

If you personally witnessed what happened outside Uniqlo or near Pind Balluchi that evening, or have footage, please message me privately. Please don’t post anyone’s personal details or harass anyone.