Delhi cop accused of sexually harassing journalist during anti-CEC protest promoted

The order comes as the Crime Branch examines complaints from three women journalists alleging sexual harassment by police officers, including Bhagat, during the protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.

In Short

• Crime Branch examining complaints from three women journalists
• Journalists protest outside Parliament Street police station seeking FIR
• CJP alleges Bhagat inappropriately touched journalist, demand his suspension

Delhi Police officer Vivek Bhagat, accused of sexually harassing a woman journalist during the October 3 protest at Jantar Mantar, was promoted to additional deputy commissioner on Monday, along with 11 other officers.

A senior police officer said the promotions were routine and had been proposed well before the allegations surfaced. Bhagat, a 2018-batch DANIPS officer, was serving as an assistant commissioner.

The order comes as the Crime Branch examines sexual harassment complaints from three women journalists against police officers deployed during the protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

The other officers promoted are Dr Vikas Sheokand, A Venkatesh, Gursewak Singh, Renu Lata, Vidushi Kaushik, Manu Himanshu, Sakaria Mihir Pravinbhai, Garima Tiwari, Ashish Kumar, Manish Ladla and Rohit Gupta.

JOURNALISTS DEMAND FIRs

Delhi Police said on Sunday that the complaints had been transferred to the Crime Branch for a “fair and impartial inquiry”.

Journalists staged a sit-in outside Parliament Street police station, demanding FIRs against the officers.

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das accused Bhagat of touching a woman journalist inappropriately and sought his suspension and an FIR. Party founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that police had refused to register an FIR on her complaint.

The All India Students’ Association (AISA) also alleged that male police personnel manhandled women protesters, journalists and lawyers, with several women reporting that they had been groped.

RAHUL SEEKS AMIT SHAH’S RESPONSE

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi demanded answers from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, whose ministry oversees Delhi Police, and urged police to register an FIR, calling it their basic duty.

He also alleged that cameras were snatched and journalists dragged during the protest.

The Press Club of India said it was “shocked and dismayed” by the treatment of journalists and urged police to act on the complaints. It stressed that journalists must be allowed to work without fear.

The protests were held amid Opposition allegations of irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

POLICE ISSUE MEDIA ADVISORY

Delhi Police have also asked journalists covering protests to carry valid organisational identity cards or PIB/DIP accreditation cards and keep them clearly visible.

The advisory asks journalists to avoid obstructing police operations, maintain a safe distance during tense situations and keep themselves separate from protesters.

Police said some people, including digital journalists, had surrounded personnel on duty and pushed microphones close to their faces, obstructing their work while questioning and filming them.

- Ends