FIR Filed Against Journalist for Casteist Slurs to Delhi ACP
Delhi Police register FIR under SC/ST Act after ACP Vivek Bhagat alleges casteist insults and false sexual assault accusations during a protest.
The Delhi Police have officially registered a First Information Report (FIR) under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act following allegations of caste-based humiliation and intimidation against a senior police officer. The complaint was filed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat, who claims he was targeted with derogatory remarks regarding his caste identity during a protest in the national capital.
Allegations of Casteist Abuse and Obstruction
The incident reportedly took place on October 3 at the Buta Singh Roundabout during a protest organized by Neha Bora and others against the Election Commission of India. ACP Vivek Bhagat, who is posted in the Connaught Place subdivision of the New Delhi district, was deployed for law-and-order duties at the time.
According to the FIR lodged at the Parliament Street police station, Bhagat, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste community, alleged that an independent journalist made offensive remarks about his caste and his appointment as an ACP. The officer stated that he and his operator, Constable Ravi Dahiya, overheard the journalist making these derogatory comments while looking at his nameplate.
False Accusations and Social Media Attacks
The situation escalated around 3 pm while the ACP was facilitating the movement of a bus carrying detained protesters. Bhagat alleged that a woman accused him of sexual assault, a claim he maintains was baseless. He further stated that the journalist, along with several colleagues and associates, repeatedly confronted him, thereby obstructing him from performing his official duties.
The complaint highlights a series of subsequent actions taken by the accused:
- Protest at Police Station: At approximately 6:15 pm, the journalist, Gajender Singh, and others allegedly staged a protest outside the Parliament Street police station, shouting slogans against Bhagat and labeling him a "sexual predator."
- Social Media Campaign: Bhagat alleged that various posts and reels were circulated on platforms such as X and Instagram by individuals including Rosy, Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das, and Ratna Singh, which portrayed him in a defamatory light.
Legal Action and Investigation Underway
The ACP stated that these incidents have caused him significant mental distress and have severely damaged his professional and personal reputation. He has sought strict legal action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The Delhi Police have registered the case under the following sections:
- BNS Sections: 221, 356(2), and 3(5).
- SC/ST Act Sections: 3(1)(p), 3(1)(q), 3(1)(r), and 3(1)(s).
A prima facie case has been established based on the complaint. Following directions from senior officials, the investigation has been handed over to ACP Ajay Sharma of the Parliament Street police station, and further inquiries are currently ongoing.