ACP accused of ‘molesting’ journalist gets promotion; why afraid of women: Rahul Gandhi

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat, who has been accused of molesting a woman journalist during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar, was on Monday promoted to the rank of Additional Deputy Commissioner, along with 11 others, according to an order signed by the Deputy Secretary (Home) Ramesh Kumar.

A senior police officer said the promotions were routine and a request for the elevation was sent way back.

The Crime Branch, to which three complaints alleging sexual harassment and manhandling by police personnel were transferred on Sunday, had not registered an FIR in any of the cases by Monday evening, nearly 48 hours after the alleged incidents.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused Delhi Police of following a pattern of “silencing women who dare to ask questions” and demanded justice for all those who have faced “violence and misbehaviour” at the hands of police personnel.

In a post on X, Mr. Gandhi also targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah, asking, “Why are you and your police so afraid of women?” His remarks accompanied a video of his recent interaction with journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan, who accused Delhi Police of assaulting them inside the Saket police station a few weeks ago while they were covering an event attended by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Mr. Shah. The two women alleged they were forcibly taken to the police station and beaten up.

“What’s happening in Delhi right now follows a single pattern: silence any woman who dares to ask questions,” Mr. Gandhi wrote.

Referring to the recent protests at Jantar Mantar, he said hundreds of people were detained while women protesters alleged misbehaviour by male police personnel. He also alleged that cameras were snatched from women journalists and they were dragged away while no FIR was registered on the journalist’s complaint against Mr. Bhagat.

The Congress leader said Ms. Shaheen and Ms. Nafisa recounted to him their alleged mistreatment inside the Saket police station. “Think about it – inside the station, the very place where women go to file complaints,” Mr. Gandhi said.

‘Release CCTV footage’

Those entrusted with protecting women were themselves posing a threat to them, he said, demanding that the entire CCTV footage from the Saket police station incident be made public and immediate action be taken against police personnel found guilty.

(With inputs from PTI)