Ebenezer News Explainer DeskExplainers are written from our published summary and its cited sources, then checked against them.15 Oct 2026, 11:45 amUpdated 1h ago4 min readIndiaIndia
Allegations against ACP Vivek Bhagat and the investigation process explained
Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat is under investigation following sexual assault allegations made by three journalists during protests in Delhi. The officer has requested that his recent promotion be put on hold while the Crime Branch conducts an inquiry into the matter.
Allegations against the officer
Vivek Bhagat, a 2018-batch IPS officer currently serving as the Sub-Divisional Police Officer in Connaught Place, is facing intense scrutiny.
The allegations stem from protests held at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Three women journalists have accused the officer of sexual assault during the demonstration.
One journalist alleged that when she questioned the absence of female police personnel during the detention of protesters, the officer assaulted her and pushed her back.
Following the incident, the journalists demanded that the Delhi Police transfer their complaints to the Crime Branch to ensure an impartial inquiry.
Reports indicate that the journalists initially attempted to lodge a complaint at a police station, but no FIR was filed at that time.
Why this matter matters
The incident has drawn significant attention due to the nature of the accusations and the role of the press in a democracy.
The Press Club of India has expressed shock regarding the treatment of journalists, stating that such behavior cannot be normalized.
Those affected by these events include:
Three women journalists who reported the alleged assault.
The media community seeking to document public protests.
The Delhi Police, which is now managing an internal inquiry.
The public, who rely on journalists to cover sensitive political events.
The government, which must ensure due process in police conduct.
The Press Club of India emphasized that journalists must be allowed to work without fear or aggression.
They have urged the Delhi Police to act immediately on the complaints to protect media freedom in the national capital.
Context of the investigation
The Delhi Police confirmed that three complaints were received following the protests.
These complaints were officially transferred to the Crime Branch for an impartial inquiry on October 4.
According to reports, the officer was also previously deployed for crowd control during the Cockroach Janta Party protests in July.
The government stated that the promotion process for the officer began on August 25, well before the current allegations surfaced.
What happens next
The Crime Branch is tasked with examining the allegations and recording statements from the complainants and other relevant individuals.
The following steps are expected to unfold as the process continues:
The Crime Branch will complete its full inquiry into the harassment allegations.
The Delhi Police will determine if the evidence warrants further legal action or disciplinary measures.
The government will modify the promotion orders to exclude the officer while the inquiry is pending.
The department will reissue the assignment of charges to the remaining eleven officers.
Once the inquiry is finalized, authorities may decide on the next course of action regarding the officer's career and the status of the complaints.
The government has already indicated that promotion orders for other officers will be reissued separately.
Key facts at a glance
Vivek Bhagat is a 2018-batch IPS officer.
The Crime Branch began its inquiry on October 4.
The promotion order was signed on October 5.
A letter requesting a hold on the promotion was sent on October 7, 2026.
Twelve officers were initially considered for the additional duty charge.
