2 days later, FIR yet to be filed over journalist’s ‘sexual harassment’ allegation against Delhi cop at Jantar Mantar protest

On October 4, police said the journalist’s complaint, along with those of two others, was transferred to the Crime Branch for enquiry.

Two days after a female journalist alleged sexual harassment by ACP Vivek Bhagat at a protest near Jantar Mantar, police are yet to file an FIR in the matter, even as the journalist was detained and alleged she was attacked again on Monday by Delhi Police personnel.

The complainant and a group of journalists and activists staged a day-long protest outside the Parliament Street police station on Sunday, demanding an FIR. (Sanchit Khanna/ HT Photo/ Representational)

On October 4, police said the journalist’s complaint, along with those of two other journalists who also alleged sexual harassment, was transferred to the Crime Branch for enquiry. Police added that medical examinations for all three complainants have also been done.

However, alleging that no enquiry was done, the complainant and a group of journalists and activists staged a day-long protest outside the Parliament Street police station on Sunday, demanding an FIR. On Monday morning, she and several others were detained and later released.

Journalist alleges sexual harassment by Delhi Police cop

Speaking to HT on Monday, the complainant claimed, “I have been trying to get an FIR filed for 48 hours but the Delhi Police is protecting the ACP, Vivek Bhagat. On Monday, I was dragged by my female police officials who pulled my hair and hurled abuses. They pinched me. There were also male police officials who pushed us. They took us to Delhi Cantt police station. We demanded a medical examination but it was delayed. No MLC was given and my friends and I didn’t even receive medical treatment…”

Her October 3 complaint says: “I was making a video of a male officer detaining a woman when there was no female officer present. On hearing this, an officer, Vivek Bhagat, caught hold of my breast, pressed it and pushed me. When I told him again that how can you do this, he said go away. When I questioned him again, he ran away and asked female police personnel to surround me.”

Delhi Police said on Sunday that these allegations were baseless. Detentions and releases are carried out in accordance with the applicable law and prescribed procedures.