The Delhi government has withheld the current duty charge of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police that had been assigned to Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat amid allegations of sexual harassment involving women journalists.
The decision came after Bhagat voluntarily requested that he not take up the additional charge until a full inquiry into the allegations is completed. The Delhi government subsequently decided to modify the earlier administrative order and remove his name from the list of officers receiving the temporary additional responsibility.
The controversy relates to allegations made by women journalists following a protest held at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on October 3. The protest was organised in connection with Opposition demands concerning the Election Commission of India and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
According to reports, three women journalists approached the Delhi Police with allegations of sexual harassment by police personnel during the protest. The complaints were received by the police and subsequently forwarded to the Crime Branch for further investigation. The allegations have not yet been established, and the investigation is ongoing.
The issue gained further attention after an administrative order issued on October 5 assigned current duty charge of Additional DCP to 12 Selection Grade officers of the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service. ACP Vivek Bhagat was among the officers named in the order.
The order led to criticism because Bhagat had been named in a complaint connected with the alleged harassment of a woman journalist during the Jantar Mantar protest. Following the reactions, Bhagat requested that he not take up the additional assignment until the inquiry into the allegations had been completed.
The Delhi government said the decision to assign the additional duty charge had been initiated on August 25, well before the recent events surrounding the protest. The government also clarified that the administrative proposal received approval and the order was issued on October 5.
The government further explained that the current duty charge was a temporary administrative arrangement. According to the clarification, the assignment did not provide any additional financial benefit and officers holding such current duty charge could not exercise statutory responsibilities belonging to the regular occupants of the post.
Following Bhagat's request, the government decided to modify the October 5 order. The revised order will cover the remaining 11 officers who were originally assigned the additional duty charge.
The allegations against Delhi Police personnel arose during a period of heightened political activity in the national capital. Opposition parties and supporters had gathered to protest against alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission and the electoral roll revision process.
Journalists covering the demonstration were present at the protest site. Following the allegations, several journalists and others raised concerns about the treatment of women journalists covering political demonstrations.
The Delhi Police has said that the complaints received from the three women journalists were transferred to the Crime Branch so that the allegations could be examined further. The transfer of the complaints is intended to allow a detailed inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The decision to withhold Bhagat's additional duty charge does not amount to a finding on the allegations against him. The complaints remain subject to investigation, and the outcome will depend on the findings of the inquiry and any subsequent legal or departmental action.
The case has also raised questions about the timing of administrative assignments involving police officers facing allegations. The Delhi government has clarified that the proposal for the 12 officers was initiated well before the October 3 protest and the complaints that followed.
Bhagat's decision to voluntarily step aside pending the inquiry has now resulted in the modification of the administrative order. The remaining 11 officers will continue to receive the current duty charge under the revised arrangement.
The development comes as authorities continue to examine the complaints filed by the women journalists. The Crime Branch is expected to look into the allegations and establish the circumstances surrounding the reported incidents.
The case has attracted attention because it involves allegations against police personnel during a politically sensitive protest. It also highlights the concerns faced by journalists while covering demonstrations and public events.
For now, the allegations remain unproven. The Crime Branch inquiry will be important in determining what occurred during the protest and whether any police personnel violated applicable laws or departmental rules.
The Delhi government has therefore taken an administrative step by withholding Bhagat's additional DCP current duty charge until the inquiry is satisfactorily concluded. The government has also made clear that the original assignment was a temporary arrangement and not a permanent promotion or appointment.
Further developments are expected after the Crime Branch examines the complaints and completes its inquiry. Any subsequent action will depend on the findings of the investigation and the applicable legal and departmental procedures.
