Full Breakdown
Allegations of Sexual Harassment Against ACP Vivek Bhagat Spark Protests and Police Scrutiny in Delhi
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Three women journalists allege that Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat sexually harassed them while covering a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 3, 2026. The complaints were transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch on October 4, but no FIR has been registered. Simultaneously, a 24-year-old independent journalist, Nadeem Ahmed Ameen, was arrested for allegedly creating an AI-generated video that depicted Bhagat in a compromising position.
Background & Context
The protests began on October 2, 2026, when students and activists gathered at Jantar Mantar to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged roll-revision irregularities. Demonstrations continued on October 3, when the alleged harassment occurred. Bhagat was given a temporary additional charge of Additional DCP on October 5, a decision later modified after the allegations surfaced.
Timeline
- Oct 2 – Protest demanding CEC resignation.
- Oct 3 – Alleged harassment of three women journalists; AI video created.
- Oct 4 – Crime Branch receives complaints; no FIR filed.
- Oct 5 – Journalist Nadeem Ahmed Ameen arrested; Bhagat’s temporary charge announced; 17 protesters detained.
- Oct 6 – Police update on AI-video case; Bhagat’s promotion withheld after he stepped aside.
- Oct 7 – Press bodies demand FIR registration.
Data & Statistics
- Instagram account “News Aina Today” that circulated the AI video had over 24,000 followers.
- 17 people were detained on October 5 while protesting outside Parliament Street police station; all were later bailed on a INR15,000 bond each.
- Bhagat’s promotion affected 12 DANIPS officers, later revised to 11 after his request to step aside.
Official Statements & Responses
Delhi Police said the complaints were transferred to the Crime Branch for a “fair and impartial enquiry” and that statements had been recorded. Deputy Commissioner Neha Yadav warned that Section 163 of the BNSS prohibited gatherings without prior permission. Deputy Commissioner Sachin Sharma noted the recovered mobile phone used to circulate the video and said the probe was examining possible funding sources. The government clarified that Bhagat’s additional charge was a temporary, non-financial assignment made before the allegations.
Criticism & Opposition
- Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition, condemned the failure to register an FIR.
- Ratna Singh, activist with the Cockroach Janata Party, called the police’s actions “deeply concerning.”
- Brinda Karat, CPI(M) leader, said demanding video proof before filing an FIR was “extremely wrong.”
- The Press Club of India described the police’s treatment of journalists as “shocking.”
On-the-Ground Reports
Protesters outside Parliament Street police station on October 5 demanded an FIR and CCTV footage. They were detained, taken to Delhi Cantonment police station, and later released on bail. Independent journalists documented alleged aggressive police behavior, including the detention of women without female officers present.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Police maintain the video is AI-generated and false, while the journalist who posted it claims it shows real misconduct. No independent verification has been presented. Police say no FIR has been filed because “no evidence” substantiates the allegations, whereas press bodies cite the Supreme Court’s *Lalita Kumari* judgment, which requires FIR registration upon receipt of a cognizable complaint. The Crime Branch has not disclosed investigative findings.
What’s Next
The Crime Branch investigation continues, with CCTV footage and other evidence under review. The court has granted bail to the detained protesters, and Bhagat’s additional charge remains pending the inquiry’s outcome. Further developments will depend on the Crime Branch’s findings and any subsequent legal actions.