NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police has lodged a case against an independent journalist and others on a complaint by ACP Vivek Bhagat alleging casteist remarks, humiliation and defamation during a protest near Jantar Mantar earlier this month. This comes days after the journalist accused the ACP of sexual assault during the demonstrations.
An FIR has been registered under the relevant provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and sections 221 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 356(2) (Defamation) and 3(5) (common intention) of the BNS. The FIR mentions that the journalist’s separate complaint alleging sexual assault by the ACP had been transferred to the Crime Branch and was under inquiry.
According to the FIR, the incident took place on October 3, when the complainant was deployed in the area to perform his law-and-order duty. Bhagat, posted in Connaught Place sub-division of New Delhi district, reportedly overheard the journalist making derogatory remarks about his Megh/Mehgwal caste in public view near Buta Singh roundabout and questioning his appointment as an ACP.
While checking out his nameplate, she is alleged to have remarked, “Vivek Bhagat. Ye Bhagat hai. Meghwal hote hain. Ye chhoti jaati ke hote hai, silai bunai ka kaam karte hai. Ye s**la kahan se ACP ban gaya” (He is a Bhagat; They belong to the Meghwal community, considered a low caste. They do sewing and weaving work. How did he end up an ACP?)
“It was clearly a casteist remark intended to humiliate me. At that moment, I ignored the same and continued performing my duty,” the complainant has alleged, adding that he had ignored the remarks and continued performing his official duties.
It was later, around 3 pm that day, when the journalist accused him of sexual assault during the handling and detention of protesters by the personnel. Following a complaint by the journalist, the Bhagat wrote to the Delhi Police commissioner, urging that his promotion as an additional DCP be put on hold amid the pending inquiry.
‘Derogatory remarks’
Bhagat was performing law-and-order duty at Jantar Mantar on October 3 when he allegedly overheard the journalist making remarks about his Megh/Mehgwal caste.