What happened at Jantar Mantar
Mahi Shrivastava, Bhopal: Three women journalists have accused Delhi Police personnel of sexual harassment and manhandling during a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 3. The demonstration was organised against the Election Commission and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
According to Delhi Police, protesters were detained after they allegedly refused to leave the area despite restrictions imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. At around 6 p.m., three women who identified themselves as journalists approached the police and complained of inappropriate behaviour and manhandling during their detention. Police accepted their complaints and conducted medical examinations.
One journalist alleged that police personnel were detaining protesters without women officers present. She said she questioned ACP Vivek Bhagat about the absence of female personnel, after which he allegedly touched her inappropriately and pushed her. The allegations are part of an ongoing inquiry and have not been established by a court.
Complaints moved to Crime Branch
The women later approached a police station seeking registration of FIRs. They alleged that the police did not immediately register cases against the officers named in their complaints.
On October 4, Delhi Police said the complaints had been transferred to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market for a “fair and impartial inquiry”. The Crime Branch is expected to record the statements of the journalists and other witnesses and examine available video footage. Police officials have said the complaints were received, medical examinations were completed, and the matter was referred for further investigation.
Journalists subsequently staged a sit-in outside Parliament Street police station, demanding FIRs against the accused officers. The complainant was reportedly detained twice while protesting against the police response. The delay in registering FIRs has become a central point of criticism from journalists, rights groups and opposition leaders.
Promotion triggers criticism
On October 5, ACP Vivek Bhagat, a 2018-batch DANIPS officer, was promoted to the rank of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, along with 11 other officers. The promotion came while the Crime Branch was examining the complaints in which his name had been mentioned.
A senior police officer said the promotions were routine and had been proposed before the allegations surfaced. However, the timing has triggered criticism from rights activists, journalist organisations and political parties, who have demanded that Bhagat be suspended until the inquiry is completed.
The Press Club of India said it was “shocked and dismayed” by the reported treatment of journalists, while DIGIPUB called for immediate action. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also questioned the Union Home Ministry, under which Delhi Police functions.
The allegations remain under investigation. Until the Crime Branch or a court concludes, Bhagat should be described as an accused officer, not as guilty. The key questions now are whether an FIR will be registered, whether the inquiry will remain independent, and whether the promotion will be reviewed.
Journalists demand action
The journalists later staged a sit-in outside Parliament Street police station, demanding that FIRs be registered against the police personnel named in their complaints. The complainant was reportedly detained twice while protesting against the police response.
The delay in registering FIRs has become a major point of criticism. Rights groups, journalist organisations and opposition leaders have questioned why the complaints were transferred for inquiry without an FIR being registered.
The Press Club of India said it was “shocked and dismayed” by the reported treatment of journalists, while DIGIPUB demanded immediate action against the officers. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also questioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the handling of the case, noting that Delhi Police functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.