Five prominent journalists’ organisations on Thursday pleaded with the Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar to register an FIR against the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Vivek Bhagat over allegations of sexual assault and harassment against three female journalists during a protest at the city’s Jantar Mantar on October 3.
The organisations, namely the Indian Women’s Press Corps, Press Club of India, Delhi Union of Journalists, Press Association and Kerala Union of Journalists, approached the city’s top cop and submitted a memorandum to him, demanding a fair judicial probe into the allegations. The organisations alleged that no FIR had been registered despite repeated complaints lodged against Bhagat.
ACP Vivek Bhagat
Delhi Police said they have forwarded the complaints to the city’s Crime branch for what it called a ‘fair and impartial inquiry.’
Journalists’ bodies demand accountability
In the memorandum submitted to the Police Commissioner, the press bodies said the allegations levelled by the journalists disclosed a cognisable offence and argued that the police were legally required to register an FIR.
The complaints had been lodged following a protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Three female scribes alleged that they were subjected to sexual harassment by the cops while covering the agitation.
One journalist alleged that Bhagat grabbed her breast and pushed her while she was recording the detention of a female protestor. The other two journalists have also complained of inappropriate conduct by the cops. However, as of now, the allegations remain unproven and are subject to probe.
According to Delhi Police, the statements of the complainants are being recorded and the available CCTV feed is expected to form part of the probe.
Concerns rise over safety of female journalists
The media organisations asserted that the controversy raised broader questions about the safety and working conditions surrounding reporters covering protests.
They particularly underlined the position of independent journalists who are employed at digital platforms and may not possess an accreditation. The memorandum also underscored that journalists working independently for YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and ‘X’ should not be deterred from carrying out their professional duties simply because they lack official accreditation.
The organisations said, “A reporter’s job is to be present on the ground,” while accusing the cops of heavy handedness and even brutality while handling journalists. Meanwhile, the Press Council of India has also expressed dismay and shock over the allegations, stressing that journalists must be allowed to discharge their duties safely and freely.
ACP steps aside as probe progresses
ACP Bhagat
The controversy moved up a gear after Bhagat’s temporary additional charge as the Deputy Commissioner of Police was withheld at his own request. The Delhi government said that the cop had voluntarily sought not to assume the additional responsibility until the inquiry into the allegations was completed.
In a parallel development, Delhi Police laid hands on an independent journalist aged 24, who was accused of creating and circulating an AI-generated video which allegedly falsely depicted Bhagat engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct during the stir. Police said the video had been manipulated to resemble CCTV footage.