ACP Vivek Bhagat Files FIR Against Journalist, Two Others Over Alleged Casteist Remarks and Obstruction of Duty

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat, posted in Delhi’s Connaught Place subdivision, has filed a police complaint against a woman journalist and two others, alleging casteist remarks, public humiliation and obstruction of his official duties during a protest in the national capital on October 3.

The FIR was registered at Parliament Street Police Station on October 13, naming journalist Rosy, Gajendra Singh, who is associated with a news portal, and an unidentified person as accused. The case has been registered under Sections 221, 356(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Bhagat has been in the spotlight amid allegations that women protesters were harassed during a recent agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Those allegations are being investigated by the Crime Branch.

According to the complaint filed by Bhagat, who belongs to the Megh/Meghwal Scheduled Caste community, the alleged incident took place at Buta Singh Roundabout on October 3. Police personnel had been deployed to manage a protest called by Neha Bora and others against the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Bhagat stated that protesters gathered at around 2.30 p.m. and attempted to proceed towards Jantar Mantar. Despite police announcements regarding the enforcement of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and requests to disperse, the protesters allegedly refused to move, prompting police personnel to begin detaining them.

The ACP alleged that, before the detention process began, Rosy made derogatory remarks about his nameplate and caste identity in the presence of her colleague Gajendra Singh and others.

According to the complaint, she allegedly said: “Ye Bhagat hai, Meghwal hote hain, ye choti jaati ke hote hai, silai bunai ka kaam karte hai, ye *** kahan se ACP ban gaya.” The statement, as translated in the complaint, referred to the Meghwal community as belonging to a lower caste and questioned how Bhagat had become an ACP.

Bhagat said he ignored the alleged remarks and continued performing his official duties. He further alleged that at around 3 p.m., while facilitating the movement of a bus carrying detainees, Rosy accused him of sexually assaulting her. He claimed that she and her colleagues repeatedly confronted him, questioned his conduct and obstructed his work.

The complaint further states that Rosy, Gajendra Singh and others staged a protest outside Parliament Street Police Station at around 6.15 p.m. the same day, raising slogans against him and allegedly portraying him as a sexual predator and potential rapist.

Bhagat also alleged that posts and reels were subsequently circulated on X and Instagram by the accused and others, including members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which he claimed damaged his reputation.

The ACP stated that the allegations and online posts had caused him mental trauma and reputational harm. He also expressed apprehension that the actions were intended to target and humiliate him because of his caste identity.

The FIR records that, prima facie, offences under the relevant provisions of the BNS and the SC/ST Act were made out. Further investigation has been assigned to ACP Ajay Kumar Sharma of the Parliament Street subdivision.

The allegations against the named individuals are part of the complaint and remain subject to investigation.