Delhi Police's Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat is in the news these days regarding the complaint of a female journalist and the ongoing investigation against her.
The female journalist has accused Bhagat of sexual assault.
After this allegation, ACP Vivek Bhagat was given the charge of the post of Additional DCP.
However, the government says that Bhagat has refused to accept this charge at present.
On October 3, during the protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, two women journalists and a protesting girl had accused policemen of sexual harassment and misbehavior.
These complaints have been sent to the crime branch for investigation.
A female journalist had alleged that ACP Vivek Bhagat had hit her on the chest. The investigation of the matter is still going on.
Who is Vivek Bhagat?
Vivek Bhagat is Assistant Commissioner of Police i.e. ACP in Delhi Police. He is posted as Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Connaught Place.
In the recent government arrangement, he was given the Current Duty Charge (CDC) of the post of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police i.e. Additional DCP. But later he himself requested not to take this charge for now.
According to Delhi Government, CDC is a temporary arrangement. There is no additional financial benefit from this and the officer receiving CDC does not get the statutory rights of an officer posted on a regular post.
How did the controversy start?
During the protest against Central Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Saturday, two female journalists and a protesting girl have accused a police officer and police personnel of sexual assault.
A female journalist alleges that while AISA President Neha Bora was being detained, ACP Vivek Bhagat hit her on the chest and pushed her and left from there.
A senior female journalist and a protesting girl have accused Delhi Police personnel of sexual assault.
The BBC has copies of the complaints of the three women which they gave at the Parliament Street police station. At the same time, a Delhi Police official said on the condition of anonymity that complaints have been taken in this regard. Further action will be taken based on evidence.
At the same time, when we questioned ACP Vivek Bhagat on the allegations of a female journalist, he did not give any answer.
On the other hand, Delhi Police has issued a statement on the issue saying that the investigation of this case has been handed over to Delhi Police Crime Branch.
Delhi Police wrote on Twitter, "During the protests in New Delhi area on October 3, 2026, while maintaining law and order, women journalists accused police officers of sexual harassment."
"New Delhi district has received their complaints and they have been sent to the crime branch for a fair investigation."
Press Club of India also expressed displeasure over the attitude of Delhi Police towards Vivek Bhagat.
A statement issued by the Press Club of India said, "A female journalist has alleged that an ACP allegedly misbehaved and sexually assaulted her. According to the journalist, she tried for several hours on Saturday night to lodge an FIR at Sansad Marg police station, but the police has not yet taken action on her complaint."
Questions were raised on Vivek Bhagat's promotion
On October 5, the government had issued orders to give current duty charge of Additional DCP to 12 officers. Vivek Bhagat's name was also there among them.
The government later said that the proposal to give CDC to these officers had started on August 25 itself, i.e. much before the October 3 protest and the controversy related to it.
According to the government, this order was approved on October 5.
According to the government, after the controversy came to light, Vivek Bhagat himself requested that until the complaints of women journalists are fully investigated, they should not be given the CDC of Additional DCP.
Delhi government said that after their request the order will be changed and CDC arrangements will continue for the remaining 11 officers.
After the news of Vivek Bhagat being given the current duty charge of Additional DCP came to light, opposition leaders had raised questions on Delhi Police and the government.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj wrote on Twitter, "Modi government promoted ACP Vivek Bhagat to the post of Additional DCP. He was accused of misbehaving with a female journalist. How can the women of this country expect their safety and respect from BJP?"
Ratna Singh wrote, "Delhi ACP Vivek Bhagat, accused of misbehaving with a woman journalist, was promoted to the post of Additional DCP. In India, if you are accused of a crime, you get a promotion. You are garlanded and welcomed. Delhi Police refused to register an FIR and now all this is happening. What is going on! Shameful!"
