Journalists beaten, detained for demanding FIR in sexual assault case in Delhi
New Delhi: At least 18 independent journalists and protesters were detained and beaten by Delhi Police while demanding registration of an FIR against Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat for alleged sexual assault of three women journalists.
The incident occurred on October 3 near Jantar Mantar where journalist Rosy alleged that ACP Bhagat inappropriately touched and shoved her while she was covering a protest seeking resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Two other women journalists raised similar allegations. Following the incident, journalists and activists staged an overnight sit-in outside Parliament Street Police Station demanding an FIR under Section 173(1) of BNSS. On October 4 morning, police rounded up the protesters and shifted them 12 km away to Delhi Cantt Police Station.
Detainees alleged brutal thrashing, kicking and verbal abuse inside police vehicles. One female journalist said she was pulled by her hair and assaulted by a female officer identified as Poonam. Journalists Anuj Bhagat, Gajendra Singh and others showed bruises on their backs and hands, with one alleging communal slurs and threats to burn his house.
Police denied assault allegations and said complaints have been transferred to Crime Branch for inquiry, but no FIR has been registered against the officer so far, drawing sharp criticism from independent media collectives.
