Delhi ACP Accused Of Sexual Harassment Alleges Casteist Remarks By Journalist; FIR Registered
Delhi Police FIR names a journalist over alleged caste humiliation of ACP Vivek Bhagat, while her separate sexual harassment complaint remains under inquiry.
Delhi Police FIR Registered Against Independent Journalist After ACP Vivek Bhagat Alleges Caste Humiliation, Defamation and Obstruction of Official Duty Under the SC/ST Act
The Delhi Police has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against an independent journalist and others following a complaint by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat, who alleged caste-based humiliation, derogatory remarks and obstruction of official duty during a protest in New Delhi. The development has drawn attention because the officer had previously faced allegations of sexual harassment from the same journalist.
According to media reports published on October 14 and 15, 2026, the case was registered at Parliament Street police station on October 13. The FIR invokes provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The journalist’s separate complaint against the ACP has been forwarded to the Delhi Police Crime Branch for inquiry.
What Is the Delhi Police FIR About?
The Delhi Police FIR stems from an incident that allegedly took place on October 3 during a protest near Jantar Mantar and Buta Singh Roundabout. ACP Vivek Bhagat, who is posted in the Connaught Place subdivision, was reportedly deployed to manage law-and-order arrangements during a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
According to the complaint, the police were asking demonstrators to disperse in view of restrictions imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Bhagat alleged that an independent journalist made derogatory comments about his caste identity in a public place while referring to his nameplate and questioning his appointment as an ACP. He claimed that the remarks were intended to humiliate him because he belongs to a Scheduled Caste community.
These allegations form the basis of the journalist FIR Delhi case, which also includes accusations involving public humiliation, defamation and interference with the officer’s official responsibilities. The allegations have yet to be established in court.
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ACP Vivek Bhagat’s Caste Humiliation Complaint
In his complaint, Bhagat alleged that he and a police colleague heard the journalist making caste-related remarks near Buta Singh Roundabout. He claimed that the comments questioned his professional position and referred to his community in a derogatory manner.
The ACP stated that he initially ignored the alleged remarks and continued carrying out his official duty. He further alleged that the situation escalated later that afternoon when the journalist accused him of sexual assault while police personnel were handling and detaining protesters.
According to the complaint, the journalist and some associates repeatedly confronted him, allegedly disrupting his work. Bhagat also claimed that subsequent demonstrations and social media posts damaged his reputation and caused him mental distress.
The caste humiliation allegations are central to the case. However, the claims contained in an FIR represent allegations requiring investigation and should not be treated as proof of guilt.
Which Legal Provisions Have Been Invoked?
The FIR reportedly invokes Sections 221, 356(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
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Section 221 concerns obstruction of a public servant in the discharge of public functions. Section 356(2) deals with criminal defamation, while Section 3(5) addresses acts carried out by several persons in furtherance of a common intention.
The SC/ST Act provisions cited in the FIR concern alleged caste-based offences, including humiliation and related conduct covered by the relevant statutory provisions.
The registration of an SC ST Act case Delhi does not establish that the alleged offences occurred. Investigators must examine the available evidence and determine whether the legal requirements for the alleged offences are satisfied.
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