NEW DELHI: Delhi Police officer ACP Vivek Bhagat, currently posted as sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) in Connaught Place, has come under scrutiny after three women journalists alleged sexual harassment by police personnel during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.The complaints were transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch for a “fair and impartial” enquiry. Bhagat has since consented to keeping his current duty charge as additional deputy commissioner of police on hold pending the enquiry.
Who is Vivek Bhagat?
Bhagat is a Delhi Police officer currently serving as SDPO, Connaught Place. He was among 12 Selection Grade DANIPS officers assigned the current duty charge of Additional DCP in an order approved by Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu.The Delhi government later modified the order after Bhagat formally requested that the charge concerning him be kept on hold, citing the pending Crime Branch enquiry.Bhagat had also been involved in police action during protests in June, when he was injured amid clashes between protesters and police.During those protests Bhagat said that he was allegedly surrounded and overpowered during the clashes and was beaten, kicked and punched. He reported alleged head injuries, bruises and broken teeth.An ANI report from the time said Bhagat was injured by stone and bottle pelting near Tolstoy Marg. The injuries were sustained while police were dealing with protesters during the June clashes.
What are the allegations against him?
Three women journalists complained of sexual harassment following a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on October 3.One journalist specifically alleged that Bhagat sexually assaulted her while she was covering the protest. She said she had approached him after noticing that no women police personnel were present while protesters were being detained.According to her complaint, she asked Bhagat about the absence of women personnel, following which he allegedly sexually assaulted and pushed her.The allegations have not been established. The Delhi Police transferred the complaints to its Crime Branch, which is examining the allegations and recording statements of the complainants and other people concerned.
Why is his promotion controversial?
The allegations emerged just days before Bhagat was among 12 officers assigned the current duty charge of Additional DCP.A senior police officer said the promotions were routine and that the request for the promotions had been sent much earlier.
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After the allegations and the pending enquiry came to light, Bhagat wrote to the Delhi Police Commissioner saying he consented to keeping the order concerning him on hold until the enquiry was dealt with.The Delhi government subsequently modified the administrative order, putting his Additional DCP charge on hold.The Crime Branch enquiry will determine the facts surrounding the allegations. The complaints remain allegations at this stage, and the material available does not establish that Bhagat committed sexual harassment.The Press Council of India has meanwhile expressed “shock and dismay” over the allegations and urged Delhi Police to act on the journalists’ complaints, saying journalists must be able to work without facing aggression or threats.