Delhi police officer alleges caste discrimination by journalist who accused him of sexual assault

Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat, who had been accused by a journalist of sexual harassment during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 3 in Delhi, has alleged that she had made casteist remarks about him, reported PTI on Wednesday.

The Delhi Police has registered a first information report against the journalist based on Bhagat’s complaint, reported ANI.

A woman journalist had alleged that Bhagat groped her while she was making a video of student leader Neha Bora being detained during protests demanding the resignation of Kumar.

She said that she had gone to the Parliament Street police station to file a complaint, but no action was taken.

An unidentified police official was quoted as saying by The Hindu on October 6 that registering cases against police personnel for actions taken while performing law and order duties could “deter them from working”.

Another unidentified police official told the newspaper on October 4 that there was no evidence to substantiate the journalist’s allegation.

In his complaint, Bhagat, who is a member of a scheduled caste community, alleged that the journalist had made derogatory remarks about his caste group and asked how he had become the assistant commissioner of police, reported The Print.

He claimed he and a constable had heard her make the remarks while he was performing his duty during the protest.

Bhagat further...

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