Shashi Tharoor Calls Delhi Police Action ‘Utterly Shameful’ Amid Harassment Allegations Against ACP Vivek Bhagat

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday criticised the alleged police action against women protesters in Delhi, calling it “utterly shameful” that women demonstrating against violence against women had themselves allegedly faced violence by police personnel. His remarks came a day after three women journalists complained of alleged s*xual harassment during a protest at Jantar Mantar, with one of the complaints naming ACP Vivek Bhagat.

The complaints were made in connection with the October 3 protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police has since transferred the complaints to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market for a “fair and impartial” inquiry. The allegations against Bhagat have not been independently established.

ACP Vivek Bhagat Accused by Woman Journalist

According to the complaint and statements reported by multiple outlets, an independent woman journalist alleged that she was recording the detention of AISA national president Neha Bora when she questioned police personnel about the absence of women officers at the spot. Delhi Jantar Mantar Protest: Did Police Misbehave With 3 Women Journalists? Crime Branch To Probe.

The journalist alleged that ACP Vivek Bhagat then s*xually assaulted her and pushed her back. She later went to Parliament Street police station to lodge a complaint and alleged that she had to wait for several hours before action was taken. The Tribune reported that a woman content creator, identified as Seema in its report, alleged that Bhagat grabbed her breast and pushed her while she was filming Bora's detention. The allegation could not be independently verified.

Delhi Police Transfers 3 Women Journalists’ Complaints to Crime Branch

Delhi Police confirmed that complaints from three female journalists alleging sexual harassment by police personnel had been received following the October 3 protest. The New Delhi district police transferred the complaints to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market. Officials said the Crime Branch would examine the allegations and record statements of the complainants and other people connected with the incidents. The development came after criticism over the alleged delay in registering an FIR. Police said the complaints would be examined as part of the inquiry rather than immediately confirming the allegations against any individual officer. Police Detain AISA Members Protesting Near Jantar Mantar as ECI Row Continues.

Shashi Tharoor Calls Police Action ‘Utterly Shameful’

Reacting to the controversy, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor shared a video by student leader Neha Bora and criticised the alleged treatment of women protesters and journalists. Tharoor said it was “utterly shameful” that women protesting against violence against women had allegedly become victims of violence by policemen. His comments came amid growing political criticism of the Delhi Police over its handling of the Jantar Mantar demonstration.

‘Utterly Shameful’ 

It’s utterly shameful for women protesting violence against women to become victims of violence against women by policemen!!

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 4, 2026

What Happened at Jantar Mantar Protest?

The October 3 demonstration was held against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with protesters demanding his resignation over allegations linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Around 150 people were detained in and around Jantar Mantar as police moved to prevent protesters from gathering at the restricted site. Those detained included senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan, former Union minister Kapil Sibal, Swaraj India founder Yogendra Yadav and AISA president Neha Bora. AISA also alleged that women protesters, journalists and lawyers were manhandled by male police personnel. Police action during the protest has since become a separate point of controversy.

Who Is ACP Vivek Bhagat? His Earlier Role in CJP Protests

The current allegation involving Vivek Bhagat has drawn additional attention because the ACP has previously been involved in policing protests associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in central Delhi. In July, Bhagat was serving as the ACP of Connaught Place and was among police officers injured during clashes and alleged stone-pelting near the Jantar Mantar protest site. He was taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital with multiple bruises on his limbs and shoulder and swelling at the back of his head.

At the time, Bhagat described being caught in a confrontation with protesters while trying to assist an injured police officer. He alleged that police personnel were specifically targeted by the crowd. The July protests were also linked to wider clashes between CJP supporters and police, with Delhi Police reporting injuries to numerous personnel and registering cases over alleged violence and stone-pelting.

Fresh Allegation Puts Police Conduct Under Scrutiny

The latest complaint has therefore placed Bhagat under scrutiny again, this time over an allegation made by a journalist covering a protest. Importantly, the present allegations remain allegations and are now subject to the Crime Branch inquiry. No finding of guilt has been established against Bhagat. The case has also raised broader questions over the treatment of journalists covering protests and the procedure followed when allegations are made against police personnel themselves. The Press Council of India has expressed concern over the reported treatment of journalists and urged the Delhi Police to act on the complaint.

CJP, Opposition Leaders Demand Action

The controversy has triggered demands for action against the police personnel named in the complaints. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das accused Delhi Police of failing to register an FIR against Bhagat and demanded that the matter be acted upon. AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj and party workers also protested outside Parliament Street police station, demanding registration of an FIR. Meanwhile, Tharoor's remarks have added to the political criticism surrounding the handling of the women's complaints.

With the complaints now before the Crime Branch, the next stage will be the examination of the allegations, statements of the complainants and other witnesses, and any available evidence from the October 3 protest.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 04, 2026 03:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).