Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Journalist Detained Again as Calls Grow for FIR Against Delhi ACP
A journalist said a Delhi police officer behaved inappropriately toward her while she was filming a protest.
She said she was recording student leader Neha Bora being detained.
The journalist and two other women journalists made complaints about police officers.
Police said the complaints were sent to the Crime Branch to be examined.
People gathered outside a police station to ask for a formal case against the officer.
The journalist was detained at protests on Sunday and Monday.
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj also called for a formal case.
A party representative said police assaulted people detained on Monday, but that claim was not independently confirmed in the reports.
Investigators have not established whether the allegations are true.
A woman journalist was detained on Sunday and again on Monday during protests outside Parliament Street police station demanding an FIR against ACP Vivek Bhagat.
The journalist alleged that Bhagat groped or behaved inappropriately with her while she filmed the detention of student leader Neha Bora at a 3 October protest.
Delhi Police said it received complaints from three women journalists and transferred them to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market for investigation.
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj joined calls for an FIR; the Cockroach Janta Party said 17 others were detained with the journalist on Monday.
The allegations have not been independently established; a police official cited by The Hindu said there was no evidence to substantiate the journalist’s allegation, while a party representative alleged detainees were assaulted.
- Who
- A woman journalist accused Delhi Police ACP Vivek Bhagat of misconduct; Delhi Police, protesters and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj were also involved.
- What
- The journalist was detained during protests demanding an FIR against Bhagat, while complaints by three women journalists were referred to the Crime Branch.
- When
- The alleged incident occurred on 3 October; the journalist was detained on Sunday and again on Monday, 5 October 2026.
- Where
- The alleged incident took place at a protest at Jantar Mantar; later demonstrations were outside Parliament Street police station in Delhi.
- Why
- Protesters sought an FIR and action against Bhagat over allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct.
Complainants and supporters
Police statements and investigation
Whether an FIR should be registered
Complainants and supporters
The journalist, protesters, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Digipub News India Foundation called for an FIR or action against the accused officer.
Police statements and investigation
Delhi Police said the complaints had been transferred to the Crime Branch for a fair and impartial inquiry; a police official cited by The Hindu said cases over actions during law-and-order duties could deter officers from working.
Evidence and allegations
Complainants and supporters
The journalist alleged that Bhagat groped or behaved inappropriately with her while she was covering a detention.
Police statements and investigation
A police official cited by The Hindu said there was no evidence to substantiate the journalist’s allegation; the investigation had not established the claims.
Treatment of detainees
Complainants and supporters
A Cockroach Janta Party representative alleged that police assaulted the journalist and other people detained during Monday’s protest.
Police statements and investigation
The reports do not provide a police response to that specific assault allegation.
- Accused officer
- Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat
- Alleged incident
- The journalist said Bhagat groped or behaved inappropriately with her as she filmed Neha Bora being detained.
- Date of protest
- The incident was alleged to have occurred during a protest on 3 October.
- Other complaints
- Delhi Police said it received complaints from three women journalists alleging sexual harassment by police officers.
- Police response
- Delhi Police transferred the complaints to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market for investigation.
- Detentions
- The journalist was detained on Sunday and again on Monday; the Cockroach Janta Party said 17 others were detained with her on Monday.
- Status
- The allegations have not been independently established, and no investigative agency or court had made a finding against Bhagat at the time of the reports.
