Three women journalists have alleged sexual harassment by Delhi Police personnel during protests in the New Delhi area on October 3, 2026, with the complaints now transferred to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market for further action.
Delhi Police confirmed that its New Delhi district received the complaints and said they were being sent to the Crime Branch in the context of the “emergent law and order situation” during the protest. The demonstrations were linked to demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protests saw a heavy police presence, detentions and allegations of manhandling involving women protesters, journalists and lawyers.
One separately reported complaint was filed by a woman journalist who alleged that ACP Vivek Bhagat assaulted and touched her inappropriately while she was recording the detention of AISA national president Neha Bora; the allegation has not been independently established, while police have confirmed receiving a complaint.
The development has triggered demands for an FIR and greater accountability, with CJP spokesperson Saurav Das publicly questioning why an FIR had not been registered against the ACP. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also sought answers from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the allegations and police conduct.
Complaints Under Probe
The allegations emerged as tensions rose around protests at and near Jantar Mantar. According to reports, the demonstrations involved activists, political leaders, lawyers, students and journalists, with police detaining people attempting to gather despite restrictions in the area. Around 150 people were detained during Saturday’s protests, including senior advocates Prashant Bhushan and Kapil Sibal, Swaraj India founder Yogendra Yadav and AISA national president Neha Bora.
The most detailed allegation to emerge publicly concerns an independent woman journalist who said she was recording Bora’s detention when ACP Vivek Bhagat allegedly assaulted her, touched her inappropriately and pushed her. She said she subsequently approached Parliament Street police station to lodge a complaint and had waited for several hours without an FIR being registered. The Tribune reported that the allegation had not been independently established, although police confirmed that a complaint had been filed.
The issue subsequently drew wider attention from journalists and civil society groups. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das accused Delhi Police of delaying an FIR against Bhagat and demanded that one be registered, while saying that the footage could be examined as part of the investigation. Meanwhile, Delhi Police’s confirmed position is that complaints from three women journalists have been received and transferred to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market. This means the allegations remain subject to investigation, rather than being established findings against any police officer.
A Tense Protest
The complaints came against the backdrop of a broader confrontation between protesters and the police over demonstrations demanding Kumar’s resignation. The protests were held amid concerns raised by opposition parties, civil society groups and activists over the SIR process, while authorities imposed restrictions and deployed additional security personnel around central Delhi.
Delhi Police subsequently registered three FIRs against unidentified individuals in connection with attempts to gather at Jantar Mantar, citing alleged violations including disobedience of orders, obstruction and use of criminal force against public servants.
At the same time, AISA alleged that women protesters, journalists and lawyers were manhandled by male police personnel during the demonstrations. The Times of India reported that a video circulating on social media appeared to show a male police officer grabbing Bora from behind while she was being detained, although police had not responded to that particular allegation at the time of reporting.
The wider dispute has therefore moved beyond the question of protest restrictions. It now includes concerns about how journalists covering demonstrations are treated, how allegations against police personnel are handled, and whether complaints involving law-enforcement officers receive an impartial investigation. Rahul Gandhi, referring to the allegation involving the journalist, questioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah and asked for accountability from the authorities.
For now, the most significant verified development is Delhi Police’s decision to transfer all three complaints to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market. The investigation will have to establish the circumstances of each allegation, identify the individuals involved where evidence supports it, and determine whether any criminal or disciplinary action is warranted.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
When allegations of sexual harassment are made against police personnel, particularly during a crowded and politically charged protest, the response must be guided by due process, sensitivity and accountability. The allegations should neither be dismissed because they involve police officers nor treated as proven before an investigation establishes the facts.
What matters now is that the complaints are examined fairly, that evidence such as available video footage is preserved and assessed, and that complainants and accused officers are both treated according to law. Journalists covering public demonstrations should be able to do their work without fear of harassment or intimidation, while police personnel must also be able to enforce lawful restrictions without unnecessary force or misconduct.
A transparent investigation can help protect both principles. As the Crime Branch begins examining the complaints, the larger question is: how can institutions build greater trust and accountability when allegations of misconduct arise during public protests?
Also Read: Delhi Police Files At Least 3 FIRs Over Jantar Mantar Protest Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar: Reports
