Photo: Collected
Delhi’s BJP government has suspended the promotion of Delhi Police Assistant Commissioner (ACP) Vivek Bhagat, who faces allegations of sexual harassment. The decision was taken after he sought to be relieved, expressing unwillingness to take up the new responsibility until the ongoing investigation against him is completed. The earlier notification on the promotions has since been amended.
Protests began at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Friday over allegations of irregularities in the SIR process and demanding the resignation of India’s Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protests continued on Saturday, Sunday and Monday despite police obstruction and detentions.
On Saturday, three women journalists who went to cover the protest brought allegations of sexual harassment against several Delhi Police officers. One of the accused was ACP Vivek Bhagat. Amid this, a notification published by Delhi Police on Monday said Vivek, having been promoted, was going to take charge as additional deputy commissioner. Eleven other police officers were also to be promoted along with him.
Later, in the amended notification, Vivek was left out and the promotion of the other 11 officers was kept in place. It said the decision on Vivek’s promotion had been withdrawn in view of his application. Delhi Police sources claim the decision to promote the 12 officers including Vivek had been taken before the sexual harassment allegations arose. The amended notification bears the signature of the assistant secretary of Delhi’s home department and has been sent to the police commissioner.
A Delhi government source said the promotion of the 12 officers concerned was a temporary arrangement. New officers will take charge once the Union home ministry makes permanent appointments to those posts. The promotion was also not supposed to raise the officers’ salaries, the source said.
Meanwhile, a complaint has been lodged at the police station against the police officers accused of sexual harassment, including Vivek Bhagat. Citing a ‘transparent and impartial investigation’ of the complaint, Delhi Police has sent it to the Crime Branch. However, although the opposition, various organisations and a section of journalists have been demanding an FIR against the accused ACP, no such step has been taken so far.
There was also a protest outside Delhi’s Parliament Street Police Station against the allegations. A sit-in continued there until Sunday night. On Monday morning police began detentions there and held several protesters and journalists who were in front of the police station. The woman journalist who made the complaint was also detained at the time.
On Sunday, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demonstrated in front of Parliament Street Police Station demanding an FIR against the ACP. The party’s leader Sourav Das alleged that although the complainant journalist and her lawyers were present, the police showed no interest in talking to them. Later, Sourav Das and CPM leader Brinda Karat went to the police station, spoke to the police and demanded an FIR against the accused ACP. However, the CJP alleges that no case was filed even after that. The party claims the police are trying to protect the accused officer.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has commented that Union Home Minister Amit Shah should make a statement on the incident. Noting that Delhi Police is under the control of the Union home ministry, he has also demanded an FIR against the accused police officers. According to Rahul, filing a case in such incidents is the minimum duty of the police.
Source: Anandabazar Patrika.
