Press bodies demand FIR against Delhi police officer over alleged sexual assault

A citizens’ protest was organised by the Disha Students Organisation, condemning the sexual assault of a female journalist and the alleged violence against women protesters by the Delhi Police on October 4, 2026 | Photo Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR The Indian Women’s Press Corps, Press Club of India, Delhi Union of Journalists, Press Association, and Kerala Union of Journalists on Wednesday (October 7, 2026) demanded registration of a case against a Delhi police officer for alleged sexual assault on three women journalists at Jantar Mantar. “We wish to draw your attention to the fact that no FIR has yet been registered against Shri Vivek Bhagat, ACP, for his alleged sexual assault on three women journalists on October 3 at the protest site. This is a clear violation of the law that holds that the police are duty bound to register an FIR immediately on a complaint,” said the press bodies’ memorandum to Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar.They also sought an “impartial judicial inquiry” into the charges.‘This is unacceptable’The memorandum said: “As you are well aware, it is a reporter’s job to be present on the ground, no matter how difficult or disturbing the situation is. And it is the duty of the police force stationed there to ensure that the press is allowed to do their job. Instead there is heavy handedness and even brutality in dealing with journalists. This is unacceptable.”“The Delhi police needs to recognise the growing presence of independent journalists running their own channels and pages and having substantial followers. Today, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X form a major source of news and views. Not all of these journalists, many of them women, have formal accreditation. Yet they should not be denied their right to report through writing, video, or photography due to unreasonable restrictions imposed by the police,” it added. Published - October 07, 2026 07:31 pm IST