# Delhi Police journalist harassment allegations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/delhi-police-journalist-harassment-allegations
> Updated: 2026-10-05T15:11:16.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 2.

Allegations of sexual harassment and aggressive treatment of journalists by Delhi Police have surfaced following protests at Jantar Mantar. Three women journalists reported being harassed by police personnel while covering demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat was specifically named in one complaint. While authorities initially described his assignment to an additional charge as a routine administrative process, the Delhi government later clarified that Bhagat requested not to assume the role of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police until an inquiry is concluded. The Delhi government stated Bhagat made this request ‘of his own volition’. The original proposal to assign temporary charges to 12 DANIPS officers was initiated on August 25, prior to the controversy, and the modified order will proceed with the remaining 11 officers. The allegations have been referred to the Crime Branch for investigation.

The Press Club of India has condemned the Delhi Police following these reports. In a related incident, a 24-year-old man, Nadeem Ahmed, was arrested for allegedly using artificial intelligence to create and circulate a fake poster depicting a police officer sexually assaulting a woman, using Bhagat’s name and photograph. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police dismissed claims of physical assault against female protesters as ‘baseless and misleading’ and issued an advisory for media personnel to display accreditation and maintain distance from law enforcement during protests. The Cockroach Janta Party has also questioned the timing of administrative assignments amid the misconduct claims.

## Claims

- The Delhi Government modified an order dated October 5, 2026, regarding the assignment of current duty charges for the post of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- ACP Vivek Bhagat requested not to accept the additional duty charge until the investigation into the alleged harassment of women journalists is satisfactorily concluded. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The assignment of the Additional DCP charge was a temporary arrangement that provided no financial benefits or statutory duties of regular incumbents. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Crime Branch is investigating allegations of harassment and misconduct against ACP Vivek Bhagat involving female journalists. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The government will reissue the order for the remaining 11 officers originally selected for the Additional DCP charge. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-05: Delhi ACP Vivek Bhagat's additional charge withheld amid harassment probe

Delhi government has withheld an additional police charge for ACP Vivek Bhagat following allegations of sexual harassment against women journalists during a protest at Jantar Mantar.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/acp-vivek-bhagat-steps-aside-from-promotion-amid-harassment-inquiry

### 2026-10-05: Delhi Police face scrutiny over journalist harassment allegations

Delhi Police face scrutiny after journalists alleged sexual harassment during protests. An officer involved was briefly promoted amid the probe, while a man was arrested for circulating AI-generated fake media.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/delhi-police-accused-of-harassing-journalists-during-protests

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Cite as: Delhi Police journalist harassment allegations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/delhi-police-journalist-harassment-allegations
