Who Is Vivek Bhagat? Cop Faces Harassment Allegation as Crime Branch Probe Continues
DELHI: Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat is facing an allegation of sexual harassment made by a woman journalist following a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 3. The complaint has been transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch, while Bhagat has asked that his additional charge as Deputy Commissioner of Police be kept on hold until the inquiry is completed.
The case has drawn attention because it involves allegations against a senior police officer during a politically charged demonstration over Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The wider protest against Gyanesh Kumar had already led to clashes over police action and the handling of demonstrators.
Who Is Vivek Bhagat?
Vivek Bhagat Delhi Police officer Bhagat is an Assistant Commissioner of Police serving in the Connaught Place area. He is a 2018-batch DANIPS officer, according to reports, and was among 12 officers who were given additional charges as Additional Deputy Commissioners of Police in an order issued on October 5.
That order came shortly after three women journalists complained of alleged sexual harassment and misconduct by police personnel during the October 3 demonstration.
One of the complainants specifically named Bhagat in her allegation. The complaint is being examined by the Crime Branch, meaning the accusations have not been established as fact.
What Happened At The Jantar Mantar Protest?
The demonstration was held by people demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations concerning electoral-roll revisions.
Three women journalists subsequently complained that they were sexually harassed or mistreated by police personnel while covering the protest and during detention. Police said the complaints were forwarded to the Crime Branch for investigation.
The Crime Branch Probe is expected to examine the allegations, available CCTV footage and other evidence relating to what happened at the protest site.
Police have also rejected broader claims of assault against women protesters, describing some allegations as misleading. The competing accounts are now part of the ongoing investigation.
Bhagat Asks For Posting To Be Put On Hold
The controversy intensified after Bhagat’s promotion order became public.
Bhagat subsequently requested that his additional charge as Additional DCP be kept on hold while the investigation continues. The Delhi government then withheld the temporary posting pending the outcome of the inquiry.
The decision has placed the Vivek Bhagat Delhi Police case under greater scrutiny, particularly because the allegations surfaced almost immediately before the promotion order.
Officials have said the promotion process itself had begun before the allegations emerged. The government has nevertheless withheld Bhagat’s additional charge while the complaint is examined.
Fake Video Case Adds Another Twist
A separate investigation has also emerged around Bhagat.
Delhi Police arrested a 24-year-old independent journalist over an allegedly fabricated video that purported to show Bhagat engaging in sexually inappropriate conduct with a woman during the protests. Police said the footage was manipulated and falsely presented as CCTV footage.
That case is separate from the harassment complaint. The existence of a fabricated video does not determine whether the underlying allegations against Bhagat are true or false.
What Happens Next?
The Crime Branch Probe remains the central process for determining what happened during the October 3 protest. Investigators will have to assess the complainants’ statements and other available evidence before drawing conclusions.
For now, the allegation against Bhagat remains an allegation. No final finding of misconduct has been announced against him.
The Vivek Bhagat Delhi Police controversy is therefore being shaped by two separate developments: the investigation into the woman’s complaint and the police case over allegedly fabricated material circulated online.
The outcome of the Crime Branch Probe will determine whether further action is warranted against the officer.
