Delhi Police have registered an FIR against journalist Rosy and two others following a complaint by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat, who alleged that he was subjected to caste-based remarks during a protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI) on October 3. The development comes amid sexual harassment allegations against the officer by women journalists covering the protest.

The FIR was registered at Parliament Street Police Station on October 13 against Rosy, Gajendra Singh, who is associated with a news portal, and an unidentified person. Bhagat has alleged caste-based humiliation, intimidation and obstruction of official duty. The allegations in the complaint have not been independently verified.

ACP Alleges Casteist Remarks During Protest
According to Bhagat’s complaint, he was deployed for law-and-order duty at Buta Singh Roundabout in central Delhi when protesters attempted to march towards Jantar Mantar. The demonstration was organised against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over concerns relating to the revision of electoral rolls.

Bhagat, who is posted in the Connaught Place subdivision of New Delhi district and belongs to the Scheduled Caste community, alleged that he and Constable Ravi Dahiya heard derogatory remarks about his caste after a journalist referred to his nameplate and identity. He claimed the remarks questioned how someone from his caste could become an ACP.

Bhagat further alleged that the individuals confronted him while he was performing his official duties and later staged a protest outside Parliament Street Police Station.

The FIR invokes 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.

AAP Leader Calls It a ‘Cross-Case’
Reacting to the development, Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj described the FIR as an example of a cross-case registered by the police. He said such cases are often seen in matters involving allegations of molestation and suggested that the issue should be discussed in law colleges.

Sexual Harassment Complaints Against ACP Under Investigation
The counter-FIR comes as the Delhi Police Crime Branch investigates complaints by three women journalists, including Rosy, who alleged sexual harassment and manhandling by police personnel during the October 3 protest.

Rosy specifically accused ACP Vivek Bhagat of touching her inappropriately and pushing her while she was recording the detention of a protester. The complaints were transferred to the Crime Branch for investigation. Bhagat has denied the allegations, which remain under investigation.

Separately, Delhi Police have also registered an FIR against NSUI women workers who alleged that police personnel physically assaulted them during the anti-CEC protests.

Delhi Government Withholds Additional Charge
The Delhi government has withheld Bhagat’s additional charge as Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police pending the inquiry. The officer had requested that he not be assigned the additional responsibility until the allegations against him were examined.

The government stated that the temporary posting arrangement had been initiated before the controversy and that the order would be modified in Bhagat’s case.

Both the allegations against the ACP and the counter-allegations made in his complaint are subject to investigation. The outcome will depend on the findings of the authorities and any subsequent legal