Delhi Police Files FIR Against Journalist Amid Protest Arrests
A woman journalist accusing ACP Vivek Bhagat of harassment is among 17 protesters booked by Delhi Police during a demonstration.
FIR registered against journalist and 16 protesters for demanding action against ACP.
All detainees granted conditional bail despite serious allegations.
Court orders investigation into claims of custodial assault by police.
On October 5, 2026, the Delhi Police initiated a First Information Report (FIR) against a female journalist who alleged that Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat sexually harassed and physically assaulted her during a protest. This incident occurred shortly after the journalist and 16 other demonstrators were detained at the Parliament Street police station while demanding that the police register a case against Bhagat for his alleged misconduct.
The backdrop to this situation involves the Delhi government's recent decision to temporarily assign additional duties to 12 officers, including ACP Bhagat, which was made prior to the allegations. Bhagat had been promoted to Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police on the same day the FIR was filed. Following the uproar, he requested that his new duties be put on hold pending an inquiry into the harassment claims, leading to a modification of the order to assign the responsibilities to other officers.
The FIR was filed after the protesters spent two nights outside the police station, insisting on action against Bhagat. They were detained on the morning of October 5 and taken to various police stations across New Delhi. After a brief period in custody, all 17 individuals were granted conditional bail by a Patiala House court, which acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations but noted that most charges were bailable. The court also highlighted the youth of the accused and their lack of prior offenses as factors in their favor.
The court's ruling also addressed allegations of custodial violence made by two detainees, who claimed they were assaulted while in police custody. Medical reports indicated injuries consistent with their claims. The court has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police for New Delhi to investigate these allegations and preserve relevant CCTV footage from the police station, emphasizing the need for accountability in police conduct during protests.
The incident has sparked significant public and political discourse, with various leaders, including Congress's Rahul Gandhi, condemning the treatment of female protesters and journalists. The ongoing protests have highlighted broader issues of police behavior towards women, with multiple reports of harassment and violence surfacing from recent demonstrations. As the situation develops, further legal actions and inquiries are anticipated, particularly concerning the treatment of journalists and protesters during the protests that began on October 2.
