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Delhi Police ACP Vivek Bhagat promoted amid allegations
Female journalists in Delhi had accused police officers of alleged sexual harassment during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Crime Branch is investigating this case and meanwhile ACP Vivek Bhagat has been promoted to the post of Additional DCP.
Apart from Bhagat, 11 other officers have also been promoted. According to a senior Delhi Police official, the promotion was part of a regular process and had already begun before the alleged incidents.
After the promotion came to light, questions have been raised at the political and social level regarding this decision. However, the allegations against Bhagat or other policemen are still under investigation and no conclusion can be taken as final.
Three female journalists accused the police of alleged harassment.
On October 3, a protest was held at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. During this period, three women journalists lodged complaints of alleged sexual harassment against policemen on duty.
Delhi Police has sent these complaints to the Crime Branch for impartial investigation.A woman journalist alleged that she had questioned the presence of women police personnel during the police action, following which ACP Vivek Bhagat allegedly misbehaved with her. This allegation has not yet been independently confirmed and investigations are ongoing.
Following these complaints, some journalists and others protested outside the Parliament Street Police Station demanding registration of an FIR. The matter is now under police investigation.
The Crime Branch is investigating the case.
Delhi Police has said that the complaints of three female journalists have been handed over to the Crime Branch. According to the police, the aim is to conduct an impartial investigation into the matter.The investigation is looking into what actually happened during the protest and the facts related to the allegations made in the complaints.
At present, the allegations against any accused officer cannot be considered as proven facts before the investigation is completed.The case has also raised questions about the role of the police during the protests, the safety of journalists and the process of action on complaints.
Delhi Police said the promotion was part of a routine process.
Reports quoting senior police officers said Vivek Bhagat’s promotion had been proposed in advance. Along with him, 11 other officers were also promoted to the post of Additional DCP.
Police say the promotion decision was made as part of regular administrative procedures, independent of the current complaints. Therefore, the department is not considering this as any special decision taken during the investigation.However, questions are being raised on this decision due to the timing of investigation of complaints and promotion coming together. Now the investigation report will be important in this entire matter.
Journalist organizations and political parties raised questions.
After news of the promotion surfaced, the CJP and some political leaders criticized it. Opposition leaders have reiterated their demand for FIR and action on the complaints.
The Press Club of India also expressed concern over the alleged treatment meted out to journalists during the protest and called for allowing them to work without fear.
At the same time, Delhi Police rejected the allegations of misbehavior with women protesters and said that the women protesters were handled by women police personnel and they were treated as per the prescribed procedure.
Police issued advisory for journalists covering the protests.
Delhi Police has also issued some guidelines for journalists covering the protests. In this, journalists have been asked to carry a valid organisational identity card or PIB/DIP accreditation card and display it clearly.
Police have advised journalists not to obstruct police action during the protest and to maintain a safe distance in tense situations.
Police say that some people surrounded the policemen on duty and obstructed their work. After this advisory, discussion has also started regarding the balance between the safety of journalists and police action.
Vivek Bhagat’s promotion comes amid scrutiny
Vivek Bhagat’s promotion to Additional DCP comes at a time when the Crime Branch is investigating allegations against him. Police say the promotion was part of a regular process, while complainants and some organisations have questioned the decision.
At present the investigation in this matter is not complete. Therefore, the final conclusion on the truth of the complaints and the role of the concerned policemen will be revealed only after the investigation.
Now the focus is on the investigation of the Crime Branch and further action on the complaints. This will make it clear what further steps the police takes regarding the allegations.
