Delhi Police Reject Assault Claims During Anti-CEC Protest, Issue Guidelines for Journalists

Yugcharan News / 06-10-2026

The Delhi Police has rejected allegations that female protesters were physically assaulted during recent demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, describing claims circulating on social media as “baseless and misleading”. The clarification came amid allegations by three women journalists that police personnel sexually harassed them while they were covering a protest near Jantar Mantar on October 3.

The complaints made by the journalists have been forwarded to the Delhi Police Crime Branch for an investigation described by the police as fair and impartial. The allegations have not been established, and the inquiry is ongoing.

The controversy intensified after Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat, who was named in one of the complaints, was promoted to the rank of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police in a routine order issued on Monday. However, the Delhi government subsequently put his additional charge on hold after Bhagat requested that he not assume the new responsibility until the inquiry into the allegations was completed.

Delhi Police Denies Assault Allegations

In a statement issued on Monday, the Delhi Police said claims that female protesters had been subjected to physical assault were incorrect.

The police said women protesters were handled by female personnel and were treated with dignity and due regard. It also said that the detention and subsequent release of protesters were carried out according to applicable law and prescribed procedures.

The police further said that male protesters who were detained were released within the stipulated period and that claims suggesting otherwise did not reflect the actual sequence of events.

The police response came against the backdrop of continuing demonstrations over demands for the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The protests have involved political parties, student organisations, activists and journalists.

Three Women Journalists Allege Sexual Harassment

On October 3, three women journalists covering the protest near Jantar Mantar accused police personnel of sexual harassment. According to the Delhi Police, their complaints were subsequently transferred to the Crime Branch for investigation.

One of the journalists specifically named ACP Vivek Bhagat in her complaint, alleging that he behaved inappropriately with her while she was recording the detention of a protester.

The allegations are being investigated and have not been established as fact. Police officials have said that an impartial inquiry is necessary because the allegations involve police personnel who were deployed for law-and-order duties during the protest.

ACP Vivek Bhagat’s Promotion Put on Hold

Bhagat, who was serving as ACP in the Connaught Place area, was included in an order promoting 12 DANIPS officers to the rank of Additional DCP. The Delhi government later modified the order with respect to Bhagat after he requested that he not take up the additional charge until the inquiry was completed. The remaining officers were not affected by the modification.

Police officials have maintained that the proposal for the temporary assignment had been initiated before the October 3 protest and before the allegations were made.

The government order described the arrangement as temporary and stated that it would cease when the Union Ministry of Home Affairs makes regular appointments to the posts.

The development drew criticism from opposition figures, activists and others, who questioned the timing of the promotion. However, the subsequent decision to withhold Bhagat's additional charge means he will not assume the new responsibility while the matter is under examination.

No FIR Reported at the Time of Initial Investigation

The complaints had been submitted to police, but an FIR had not been registered in the matter at the time of the initial reports. The Delhi Police instead transferred the complaints to the Crime Branch for further investigation.

The probe is expected to examine the allegations and relevant evidence, including material available from the protest site. Police have also been examining available footage related to the incident.

The investigation will determine whether the allegations made against the police personnel are supported by evidence.

Delhi Police Issues Guidelines for Journalists

Amid the controversy, Delhi Police also issued guidelines for journalists covering protests in the national capital.

The advisory asks journalists to carry valid identity cards issued by their respective organisations or valid accreditation cards issued by the Press Information Bureau or Delhi's information and publicity authorities.

Journalists have been advised to keep their identification cards visibly displayed while covering demonstrations so that law-enforcement personnel can identify them at protest sites.

The police also asked journalists to ensure that their presence or activities do not obstruct police operations or the movement of law-enforcement personnel.

During tense situations, reporters have been advised to maintain a reasonable and safe distance while covering and recording events.

Controversy Comes Amid Continuing Anti-CEC Protests

The allegations involving journalists have emerged amid a wider political confrontation over protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission's electoral-roll revision exercise.

Opposition parties and civil society groups have accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the revision of voter lists and have demanded greater transparency. The Election Commission has maintained that the electoral-roll exercise is intended to improve the accuracy and integrity of voter lists.

The protests have continued in Delhi, with opposition parties separately organising marches towards the Election Commission office.

With the Crime Branch inquiry into the journalists' complaints underway, both the allegations against police personnel and the police's handling of protesters remain under scrutiny. The Delhi Police's latest clarification and its guidelines for media personnel are likely to remain part of the ongoing debate over policing, press access and the treatment of protesters during demonstrations in the capital.