Delhi Police officer Vivek Bhagat, who was recently promoted to the post of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), has requested the Police Commissioner to keep his promotion order on hold while a Crime Branch inquiry into allegations against him is underway.
Bhagat, currently serving as Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) at Connaught Place, was among 12 officers promoted to the rank of Additional DCP in an order issued on October 5. The order was signed by Deputy Secretary (Home) Ramesh Kumar.
In a letter to the Police Commissioner, Bhagat referred to the pending Crime Branch inquiry concerning allegations levelled against him by a YouTuber and said he was willing to have his promotion kept in abeyance until the matter was examined.
The development comes amid allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against Delhi Police personnel during a recent protest at Jantar Mantar. The allegations have been referred to the Crime Branch for an inquiry.
CJP QUESTIONS TIMING OF PROMOTION
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has accused Bhagat of inappropriate conduct towards a woman journalist during the protest and has demanded action against him.
CJP representatives have also alleged that an FIR was not registered despite a complaint by the woman. The allegations have not been established, and the matter is currently under investigation.
Delhi Police had earlier transferred three complaints alleging sexual harassment and manhandling by its personnel to the Crime Branch on October 4, stating that the move was intended to facilitate a fair and impartial inquiry.
POLICE SAY PROMOTIONS WERE ROUTINE
Bhagat’s promotion was part of a broader order covering 12 Delhi Police officers and was described by a senior police official as a routine service-related exercise.
According to the official, the proposal for the promotions had been initiated well before the recent controversy. The timing of Bhagat’s promotion, however, drew criticism from CJP and other groups because of the allegations pending against him.
Bhagat has now voluntarily sought a hold on his own promotion while the inquiry continues.
POLICE PROBE ALLEGED FABRICATED VIDEO
Separately, Delhi Police said it arrested a person who allegedly posed as an independent journalist and uploaded fabricated CCTV footage on social media in an attempt to portray Bhagat in a negative light.
Additional DCP Manjeet Sheoran said the New Delhi district Cyber Police Station detected the social media content and subsequently registered an FIR.
Police claimed during the investigation that the account was being operated by a Haryana resident and that artificial intelligence tools were allegedly used to create the disputed footage.
According to police, the alleged objective was to damage the reputation of the force, provoke unrest and potentially incite violence among protesters.
12 OFFICERS PROMOTED TO ADDITIONAL DCP RANK
The October 5 order promoted Bhagat and 11 other officers to the rank of Additional DCP.
The officers included Vikas Sheokand, A Venkatesh, Gursewak Singh, Renu Lata, Vidushi Kaushik, Manu Himanshu, Sakaria Mihir Pravinbhai, Garima Tiwari, Ashish Kumar, Manish Ladla and Rohit Gupta.
Meanwhile, the allegations concerning police conduct during the Jantar Mantar protest have led to demonstrations and demands for registration of FIRs against the personnel named in the complaints.
Journalists staged a protest on October 3, while the All India Students’ Association (AISA) also alleged that women protesters, journalists and lawyers were subjected to manhandling and inappropriate conduct.
The allegations remain under investigation by the Crime Branch. As of now, there has been no official communication from the Delhi Police Commissioner on Bhagat’s request to keep his promotion on hold.