Three journalists who accused Delhi Police Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat of alleged sexual harassment and manhandling during an October 3 protest have now been named in a separate FIR, according to police. The case includes charges under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with sections relating to obstruction of justice and criminal defamation.
The FIR was registered on the basis of Bhagat’s complaint, police officers said. According to the complaint, one of the journalists pointed to his nameplate, identified his caste and made caste-based derogatory remarks about him and his appointment as an ACP. Bhagat has stated that he belongs to the Scheduled Caste community.
The case follows complaints by three women who identified themselves as journalists and alleged that Delhi Police personnel manhandled them during the protest. One of the complainants alleged that Bhagat touched her inappropriately while she was covering police action. The allegations have been transferred to the Crime Branch for further inquiry, and no conclusion has been reached on them so far.
The protest took place at the Buta Singh roundabout in New Delhi district and was connected to a demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police officers said Bhagat had been deployed at the site during the protest. The police have said that protesters were informed about the implementation of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in the New Delhi area.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Neha Yadav had earlier said that the provision prohibited public gatherings of five or more people, demonstrations and other activities without prior written permission in the area. She said police personnel acted after protesters who had been directed to leave allegedly refused to do so.
“Later in the day (Saturday), three women, who identified themselves as journalists, filed a complaint alleging manhandling by Delhi Police officials and staff during the detention. Their complaints were taken; they underwent medical examinations and all the complaints were sent to the Crime Branch,” Yadav had said. She also requested people with video footage from the protest site to share it with the Crime Branch.
The investigation into the journalists’ complaints is expected to examine statements, medical records and CCTV footage from the protest location. The registration of the new FIR means that the same episode is now being examined through allegations raised by both the police officer and the journalists, with the claims yet to be adjudicated.
The Delhi government had earlier withheld a temporary posting given to Bhagat. The government said Bhagat had requested not to be given charge as Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police until the allegations against him were fully investigated. The Crime Branch inquiry remains the next formal step in the cases.
