Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Allegations of Police Misconduct at Delhi Protests Raise Accountability Concerns
Women who said they were journalists reported that police officers harassed them at a Delhi protest on October 3.
One woman accused a senior officer, Vivek Bhagat, of sexually assaulting her.
Police said they would investigate the complaints, but no FIR had been filed against him at the time described.
Earlier, people had also made allegations about police conduct toward women at a July protest, including claims raised in court.
Those claims were allegations, not court findings.
Bhagat was given a temporary additional duty, but later asked not to take it while the inquiry continued.
Separate videos posted online showed people attacking protesters in October.
Police arrested four men over that attack and also investigated claims that officers did not intervene.
The reports raise questions about how quickly authorities respond to complaints against police officers compared with action against protesters.
Three women identifying themselves as journalists alleged sexual harassment by Delhi Police officers near Jantar Mantar on October 3.
One woman accused ACP Vivek Bhagat of sexual assault; police acknowledged the complaints and said an impartial inquiry would be conducted.
Earlier videos and court allegations concerned officers’ treatment of women during a July protest; the allegations have not been established as findings.
Bhagat was assigned temporary additional duty on October 5, then asked not to take the charge until the inquiry concludes; officials said the arrangement was initiated before the protest.
After videos circulated on October 10 showing violence against protesters, police arrested four men the next day and investigated allegations that officers failed to act.
- Who
- Three women identifying themselves as journalists made complaints about Delhi Police officers; one accused ACP Vivek Bhagat. Four men were arrested over a separate attack on protesters.
- What
- The articles describe allegations of police misconduct toward women at protests, official inquiries, and a separate assault on protesters.
- When
- The main complaint was made on October 3; later videos circulated on October 10, and four men were arrested on October 11. The year is not specified.
- Where
- Near Jantar Mantar and in the Parliament area of New Delhi.
- Why
- The October 3 protest was against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Critics and complainants
Police and government responses
Alleged police conduct
Critics and complainants
Women complainants and protest-related accounts alleged sexual harassment, assault, slapping, and other misconduct by officers.
Police and government responses
Delhi Police said the October complaints would receive a fair and impartial inquiry; allegations described in court were not findings.
Response and accountability
Critics and complainants
The article highlights delays in registering complaints and contrasts them with rapid action against protesters, raising concerns about accountability.
Police and government responses
Officials cited an ongoing Crime Branch investigation; the government said Bhagat’s temporary duty arrangement had been initiated before the protest, and he requested not to assume it pending the inquiry.
July protest confrontation
Critics and complainants
Petitioners’ counsel alleged police used force against women, including batons on private parts, and said video evidence existed.
Police and government responses
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju alleged that the crowd had thrown stones; the court requested a police response.
- October 3 complaints
- Three women identifying themselves as journalists alleged sexual harassment near Jantar Mantar.
- Officer accused
- One complainant accused ACP Vivek Bhagat of sexually assaulting her and pushing her.
- Police response
- Delhi Police acknowledged the complaints and promised a fair and impartial inquiry.
- FIR status
- The article says no FIR had been filed against Bhagat while the Crime Branch investigation was ongoing.
- Temporary duty charge
- Bhagat was assigned an additional duty charge on October 5 and later asked not to take it until the inquiry concluded satisfactorily.
- July protest allegations
- Videos and allegations in court concerned police conduct toward women; the court asked police to respond within four weeks.
- October assault arrests
- Police arrested four men on October 11 over an attack shown in a video; claims of police failure to act were also investigated.