Delhi ACP Vivek Bhagat Faces Sexual Harassment Allegations
Assistant Commissioner Vivek Bhagat is under investigation following accusations of sexual harassment from three women journalists during protests.
Vivek Bhagat, an ACP in Delhi, has been accused of sexual harassment by three women journalists.
The Delhi Police has transferred the complaints to the Crime Branch for further investigation.
Bhagat has requested to suspend his recent promotion until the inquiry is completed.
Amid ongoing protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Delhi's Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat is facing serious allegations of sexual harassment from three women journalists. The incidents reportedly occurred while the journalists were covering the protests in Jantar Mantar, leading to public outcry and demands for accountability from the police.
Vivek Bhagat, who is currently serving as the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) in Connaught Place, is a 2018-batch IPS officer. Following the allegations, the Delhi Police confirmed that three separate complaints had been filed and subsequently transferred to the Crime Branch for a thorough investigation on October 4. This scrutiny comes at a time when Bhagat was recently promoted to the rank of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, a decision that has drawn significant criticism given the circumstances.
The allegations surfaced on October 3, when the three women journalists reported that they were harassed by police personnel during the protests. They have called for their complaints to be handled by the Crime Branch to ensure an impartial inquiry. One journalist recounted her experience, stating that Bhagat assaulted her when she questioned the absence of female officers during the protest. This incident has raised serious concerns regarding the treatment of women journalists in the field.
The Press Club of India has expressed its dismay over the allegations, emphasizing that such behavior should not be tolerated in a democratic society. They urged the Delhi Police to take immediate action on the complaints, highlighting the need for a safe environment for journalists to perform their duties without fear of aggression or intimidation.
In light of the allegations, Bhagat has requested that his recent promotion be put on hold until the investigation is concluded. In a letter to the Delhi Police Chief, he stated his consent to suspend the order concerning his promotion, citing the pending inquiry against him. The government clarified that the promotion process had begun prior to the allegations, indicating that the decision was made with due process. Following the investigation, it is expected that the order regarding Bhagat's promotion may be revised accordingly.
