Delhi Government Modifies Police Order After ACP Vivek Bhagat Opts Out Amid Harassment Allegations

October 6, 2026

New Delhi: The Delhi government has modified its order assigning the current duty charge of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Addl DCP) to 12 Selection Grade DANIPS officers, removing ACP Vivek Bhagat from the arrangement after he opted not to take up the additional charge pending an inquiry into allegations of harassment involving women journalists.

The government said Bhagat had requested, on his own, not to avail the current duty charge assignment until a full inquiry into the allegations was completed. Accordingly, the October 5 order has been modified and will be reissued for the remaining 11 officers.

ACP Vivek Bhagat Opts Out of Additional DCP Charge

The development came hours after an earlier government order assigned the current duty charge of Additional DCP to 12 DANIPS officers, including Bhagat.

The Delhi government clarified that Bhagat’s request was made in view of the ongoing inquiry into allegations of harassment of women journalists. The government said the order would now be modified to cover the 11 remaining officers.

The government also clarified that the current duty charge arrangement was a temporary administrative assignment and did not amount to a regular promotion. The proposal for assigning the additional duty charge had been initiated on August 25, before the recent allegations emerged, while the orders were issued on October 5 after due approval.

Crime Branch Probes Complaints by Women Journalists

The development comes amid an ongoing Crime Branch inquiry into complaints filed by three women journalists following a protest near Jantar Mantar on October 3.

The women had alleged inappropriate conduct and harassment by Delhi Police personnel while covering the protest. Their complaints were forwarded to the Crime Branch for investigation, and their statements have been recorded. Police have also said that CCTV footage from the area will be examined and have appealed for relevant video evidence.

The allegations remain under investigation, and no final conclusion has been reached regarding the complaints.

Delhi Government Modifies October 5 Order

Following Bhagat’s request, the Delhi government said the October 5 order assigning the current duty charge would be modified and reissued with respect to the 11 remaining officers.

Bhagat is currently posted as the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Connaught Place. The government has maintained that the additional DCP arrangement was a temporary duty assignment rather than a regular promotion.