Delhi Police ACP Vivek Bhagat, who has been accused of sexually harassing a female journalist during a protest against the Election Commission at Jantar Mantar, was promoted to the rank of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police on Monday. Senior police officers said the promotion was part of a routine process and that the request for the elevation had been sent well before the allegations emerged.

Bhagat, who was serving as ACP of Connaught Place, was among 12 police officers promoted on Monday. The development came amid allegations by three women journalists against senior Delhi Police officers over their conduct during Saturday’s protest. The police have said that the complaints received in connection with the allegations were forwarded to the Crime Branch for a detailed investigation.

One of the journalists alleged that police personnel were detaining protesters while no women police personnel were present at the spot. She said she questioned ACP Vivek Bhagat about the absence of women officers and alleged that he sexually assaulted her and pushed her back. The allegations have not been established, and the investigation by the Crime Branch is expected to examine the complaints and circumstances surrounding the incident.

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Delhi Police said in a statement that allegations of sexual harassment had been made by three female journalists against police officers during the October 3 protest in the New Delhi area. The force said the New Delhi district had received their complaints and transferred them to the Crime Branch to ensure a fair and impartial inquiry into the allegations.

The controversy has triggered protests and criticism from journalists and opposition leaders. Several independent journalists and social media influencers gathered outside the Parliament Street police station on Saturday evening, demanding registration of FIRs against the police officers named in the allegations. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi also criticised the handling of the complaints and questioned why an FIR had not been registered.

The promotion of Bhagat has added to the scrutiny surrounding the allegations, with critics questioning the timing of the order. Police officials, however, maintained that the promotion was a routine administrative decision initiated earlier and was not connected to the complaints. The Crime Branch investigation will now determine the facts surrounding the allegations made by the journalists and any further action arising from the inquiry.

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