Delhi Police refer three journalists’ sexual harassment allegations case against ACP Vivek Bhagat to crime branch without FIR

After a woman journalist alleged sexual harassment and being shoved by ACP Vivek Bhagat while covering the protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday (October 3, 2026), the Delhi Police said three such complaints have been received and transferred to the Crime Branch for inquiry on Sunday (October 4, 2026).

Also read: Protest against Gyanesh Kumar updates on October 4, 2026

Earlier on Sunday morning (October 4, 2026), a New Delhi police official told The Hindu that no case had been registered so far, as there was no evidence to substantiate the allegation.

“There were so many camera persons. There should be some proof of the incident if it happened,” the official said, alleging that the complaint was being made to target the police.

A woman journalist alleged that the incident took place when she was recording the detention of All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha. In a video posted online, she said she had gone to the Parliament Street police station to register an FIR against ACP Vivek Bhagat.

“When I questioned him, he ran away,” she said.

Speaking to The Hindu on the fresh development, legal affairs head of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) Ratna Singh said the journalists and CJP representatives would still visit the Parliament Street police station on Sunday (October 4, 2026) to demand registration of an FIR.

“The police can very well register an FIR and then transfer it to the Crime Branch for investigation. But FIR is a must, as the allegations are of molestation,” Ms. Singh said.

Meanwhile, two other women journalists have also come forward with complaints of sexual harassment against the same ACP, Ms. Singh said. According to her, the two journalists had made allegations against the officer in the past as well, but no FIR was registered. They have now lodged fresh complaints in connection with their earlier allegations, she said.

In an X post made late on Saturday night (October 3, 2026), Ms. Singh alleged that the police had refused to register an FIR and instead wanted to conduct a preliminary inquiry and examine CCTV footage before registering a case. She questioned whether this approach was consistent with the principles laid down by the Supreme Court in the Lalita Kumari judgment concerning the registration of FIRs.

Under the Supreme Court’s Lalita Kumari judgment, registration of an FIR is mandatory when information received by the police discloses a cognisable offence, with a preliminary inquiry permitted only in limited circumstances. The current Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) also allows a preliminary inquiry into certain cognisable offences punishable with three years or more but less than seven years, subject to prior approval of a senior police officer. The journalist’s allegation of sexual harassment is a cognisable offence under BNS.

“Is Delhi Police protecting the ACP instead of acting on a serious complaint?” she asked.

The Press Club of India’s in a statement slammed Delhi Police’s action against journalists. It said, “The Press Club of India is shocked and dismayed at the Delhi Police’s actions against and treatment of journalists during the protests at Jantar Mantar against the chief election commissioner on Friday and Saturday.”