Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Three Journalists Allege Harassment as Delhi Police Refer Complaints
Three women journalists said police officers harassed them while they were reporting on a protest in New Delhi.
The protest was held near Jantar Mantar on October 3, 2026.
One journalist alleged that ACP Vivek Bhagat touched and pushed her after she asked why women officers were not present.
Another journalist said someone touched her inappropriately while she was filming police detain protesters.
The journalists said they submitted complaints at a police station, but reports said an FIR had not been registered at that time.
Delhi Police transferred the complaints to its Crime Branch for an inquiry.
The Crime Branch is expected to examine the allegations and record statements.
Press groups criticized the reported treatment, and Rahul Gandhi asked the Union Home Minister to answer.
The allegations remain under inquiry and are not established findings.
Three women journalists alleged sexual harassment by police personnel while covering an October 3 protest near Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
One journalist alleged that ACP Vivek Bhagat touched her inappropriately and pushed her after she questioned the absence of women officers.
A second journalist described inappropriate contact while recording police detaining protesters; the reports also mention a third complaint but provide fewer details about it.
The journalists said they submitted complaints at a police station, while reports said an FIR had not been registered at that time.
Delhi Police transferred the complaints to its Crime Branch for a fair and impartial inquiry; press groups and Rahul Gandhi called for action or answers.
- Who
- Three women journalists made allegations against Delhi Police personnel; the Crime Branch is to investigate their complaints.
- What
- The journalists alleged sexual harassment while covering a protest, and Delhi Police transferred their complaints for inquiry.
- When
- The alleged incidents took place on October 3, 2026; Delhi Police said the complaints were transferred on October 4.
- Where
- Near Jantar Mantar and other protest areas in New Delhi.
- Why
- The journalists were covering a protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
Journalists’ allegations and calls for action
Police response and pending inquiry
Alleged conduct
Journalists’ allegations and calls for action
The journalists alleged sexual harassment by police personnel. One named ACP Vivek Bhagat; another described inappropriate contact while recording detentions.
Police response and pending inquiry
Delhi Police said it received the complaints and referred them to the Crime Branch for a fair and impartial inquiry. The articles do not report a detailed response from the named officer.
Handling of complaints
Journalists’ allegations and calls for action
The journalists said they went to a police station to complain, and reports said an FIR had not been registered at that time. Press groups urged police to act.
Police response and pending inquiry
Police said the complaints were transferred to the Crime Branch, which would examine the allegations and record statements.
Public and political response
Journalists’ allegations and calls for action
The Press Council of India and Press Club of India criticized the reported treatment of journalists. Rahul Gandhi called on Home Minister Amit Shah to answer for Delhi Police’s response.
Police response and pending inquiry
The articles report that Delhi Police referred the complaints for investigation; they do not provide a specific response to those criticisms.
- Complainants
- Three women journalists
- Alleged incident date
- October 3, 2026
- Location
- Jantar Mantar and nearby areas of New Delhi
- Investigating unit
- Delhi Police Crime Branch
- Named officer
- ACP Vivek Bhagat was named in a journalist’s complaint; reports said he could not be reached for comment.
- Police position
- Delhi Police said the New Delhi District received the complaints and transferred them for a fair and impartial inquiry.
- Protest demand
- Demonstrators called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll revision irregularities.
- Complaint status
- Journalists said they submitted complaints at a police station; reports said an FIR had not been registered at that time.
Sources
3 women journalists allege sexual abuse by cops
3 Journalists Allege Sexual Harassment By Cops During Delhi Protest
Delhi: Three Women Journalists Allege Sexual Harassment During Protest, Crime Branch to Probe
Delhi Police Transfers Sexual Harassment Complaints By Female Journalists Against Cops To Crime Branch
3 women journalists allege sexual harassment by police, Crime Branch to launch probe
Probe into Sexual Harassment Allegations by 3 Women Journalists
Protest against Gyanesh Kumar: Female journalists allege sexual harassment by Delhi police
