New Delhi: Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat, who has been accused of sexually assaulting a female journalist during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar near Jantar Mantar, has been promoted to the rank of Additional DCP amid an ongoing probe.
The promotion comes days after three female journalists filed complaints alleging sexual harassment by police personnel, including ACP Bhagat during a protest on October 3.
The ‘reward’, however, is said to be part of a routine, time-bound promotion process for officers. Bhagat apart, 11 other DANIPS officers have also been promoted, while three other officers from his batch have received the same promotion.
Delhi Police said the complaints against Bhagat and other cops have been transferred to the Crime Branch for a “fair and impartial enquiry”.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke shared the official promotion notification and questioned why Bhagat had been promoted while allegations against him were under investigation. He asked whether the officer had been “rewarded for molestation”.
Rewarded for molestation?
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 5, 2026
Amid the allegations, Delhi Police rejected claims circulating on social media that female protesters were physically assaulted.
“Some social media handles are claiming that female protesters were subjected to physical assault. These allegations are baseless and misleading. Female protesters are handled by female staff and are treated with dignity and due regard,” the police said.
