Delhi ACP in trouble after journalist’s sexual harassment complaint; promotion put on hold after his request
New Delhi/IBNS: A Delhi Police officer has come under the spotlight after a journalist accused him of sexual harassment during a recent protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, media reports said.
ACP Vivek Bhagat has been accused of misconduct by a journalist during the October 3 protest in New Delhi, where protesters gathered to demand the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Tension escalated between the police and protesters during the demonstration as police personnel moved to detain several protesters.
Journalist alleges misconduct
A complaint was filed against ACP Bhagat after women who identified themselves as journalists alleged sexual harassment and manhandling by police personnel deployed during the protest.
According to media reports, three women journalists subsequently complained of alleged misconduct by police personnel. The complaints were transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch for an inquiry.
One of the complainants, an independent journalist, alleged that ACP Bhagat inappropriately touched her while she was recording the detention of AISA president Neha Bora near Kerala House.
The journalist claimed that she immediately confronted the officer over the alleged incident.
The allegations against Bhagat are currently under investigation and have not been established.
Bhagat removed from additional DCP charge
Bhagat was among 12 Selection Grade DANIPS officers who were assigned the temporary additional charge of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Additional DCP).
The order received approval on October 5. Following the allegations, Bhagat requested that he not be given the additional charge until the inquiry into the complaint was completed.
The Delhi government subsequently modified the order, removing Bhagat from the arrangement while retaining the additional charge for the other 11 officers.
The government clarified that the additional charge was temporary and did not carry any financial benefit or statutory powers associated with a regular DCP post.
Separate case over alleged fake AI video
Meanwhile, a separate controversy has emerged over a purported video linked to the allegations against Bhagat.
Delhi Police arrested 24-year-old Nadeem Ahmed Ameen, alleging that he created and circulated a manipulated video designed to resemble CCTV footage showing Bhagat sexually assaulting a woman.
Police said the video was fake and registered a separate case concerning its creation and circulation.
The alleged fake video case is separate from the complaints filed by the journalists against police personnel during the protest.
The Crime Branch is examining the complaints against the police personnel, with the allegations against ACP Bhagat remaining subject to investigation.
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