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Journalist Detained Again as Protesters Demand Action Against Officer
A journalist said a Delhi police officer touched her inappropriately while she was filming an arrest.
She and other women journalists said they were harassed while covering a protest in Delhi.
The journalist went to a police station to complain, but said no action was taken.
On Monday, police detained her again during a protest calling for a formal case against the officer.
The party supporting the protest said 17 other people were detained too.
It also alleged that police assaulted some of the people they detained.
Delhi Police said complaints had been sent to another police unit for investigation.
A police official quoted by The Hindu said there was no evidence to support the journalist’s allegation.
The claims are allegations, and the article does not report the outcome of an investigation.
A woman journalist who accused Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat of groping her was detained again on Monday.
She was detained during a protest outside Parliament Street police station demanding that police register a first information report against Bhagat.
The journalist said Bhagat groped her as she filmed student leader Neha Bora being detained during protests at Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police said complaints had been transferred to the Crime Branch for a fair and impartial inquiry, but it was unclear which allegations the statement addressed.
The Cockroach Janta Party alleged police assaulted detainees; an unidentified police official told The Hindu there was no evidence supporting the journalist’s allegation.
- Who
- A woman journalist, Delhi Police, and protesters; the journalist accused Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat.
- What
- The journalist was detained for a second time during a protest demanding a first information report against Bhagat over an alleged groping incident.
- Where
- Outside Parliament Street police station in Delhi; the alleged incident took place while covering protests at Jantar Mantar.
- When
- Monday, October 5, 2026; the alleged incident occurred on Saturday.
- Why
- Protesters were demanding police register a case against Bhagat and take action over allegations of sexual harassment.
Complainants and supporters
Police statements and rationale
Whether a case should be registered against Bhagat
Complainants and supporters
The journalist and protesters demanded that police register a first information report against Bhagat; Digipub News India Foundation also called for cases against the accused officers.
Police statements and rationale
An unidentified police official told The Hindu that registering cases against officers for actions taken during law-and-order duties could deter them from working.
Evidence and investigation
Complainants and supporters
The journalist alleged that Bhagat groped her, and her supporters sought formal action; the Cockroach Janta Party said police refused to register a case.
Police statements and rationale
An unidentified police official told The Hindu there was no evidence to substantiate the allegation. Delhi Police said complaints had been transferred to the Crime Branch for inquiry.
Treatment of detainees
Complainants and supporters
Ratna Singh alleged that police assaulted the journalist and other detainees during Monday’s protest.
Police statements and rationale
The article reports no police response to that specific assault allegation.
Key facts
- Detention
- The journalist was detained on Sunday and again on Monday.
- Accused officer
- Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat
- Alleged incident
- The journalist said Bhagat groped her while she filmed student leader Neha Bora being detained.
- Other allegations
- Three women journalists alleged sexual harassment by police officers while covering protests at Jantar Mantar.
- Police response
- Delhi Police said complaints were transferred to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market for a fair and impartial inquiry.
- Monday detentions
- Ratna Singh said the journalist and 17 others were detained during the protest.
- Additional allegation
- Singh alleged that police assaulted detainees; the article does not report an independent confirmation.
Quotes
Ratna Singh
Legal affairs head of the Cockroach Janta Party
“To protect their own, the police are now allegedly beating up the victim and those demanding action against the accused.”
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Digipub News India Foundation
Association of independent digital news organisations and journalists
“The responsible officers and authorities of the Delhi Police, who are meant to maintain law and order, and protect the constitutional rights of citizens, are themselves engaging in criminal activities.”
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Sources
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