The Delhi government late on Monday withheld the current duty charge (CDC) of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for Assistant Commissioner (ACP) Vivek Bhagat, who is accused of sexually harassing a woman journalist, according to thehindu.com. The decision came after Mr. Bhagat had been assigned the rank earlier on Monday, drawing sharp criticism.

According to thehindu.com, ACP Bhagat "of his own volition" requested not to avail the current duty charge assignment until a full inquiry into the alleged harassment of women journalists has been conducted and satisfactorily concluded. Consequently, the earlier order assigning the CDC will be modified and reissued for the 11 remaining officers.

Details of the Assignment and Allegations

Earlier on Monday, a Delhi government order had assigned the CDC of additional DCP to 12 DANIPS officers, including Mr. Bhagat, according to thehindu.com. This assignment drew sharp reaction from various quarters, according to thehindu.com, after Mr. Bhagat was accused of sexually harassing a woman journalist during a protest on October 3 at Jantar Mantar.

The Delhi government clarified that the proposal to confer these additional duty charges was initiated on August 25, "much before the present set of events," according to a post on X late Monday cited by thehindu.com. The orders were subsequently issued after due approval on October 5.

The government also stated that the assignment of CDC is a temporary arrangement that confers no financial benefit. Officers assigned CDC cannot exercise the statutory duties of the regular incumbents, according to thehindu.com.

The alleged incident involving ACP Bhagat occurred during an October 3 protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi, according to thehindu.com. The protest specifically targeted alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's functioning and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Broader Complaints and Police Action

In addition to the accusation against ACP Bhagat, three women journalists have accused Delhi Police officers of sexual harassment during the October 3 protest, according to ndtv.com and thehindu.com. The Delhi Police has received these complaints and has forwarded them to the Crime Branch for further inquiry, according to both outlets.

Context and Public Reaction

The initial assignment of the additional DCP rank to ACP Bhagat earlier on Monday, despite the accusations, sparked considerable public and media attention. Mediapersons and protesters were seen sitting outside the Parliament Street Police Station in New Delhi on October 5, 2026, according to a photo caption by thehindu.com.

The Delhi government's decision to withhold the charge for Mr. Bhagat and his subsequent request not to avail the assignment reflect the immediate response to the allegations and the ensuing public reaction.

Next Steps

An inquiry by the Crime Branch into the alleged harassment of women journalists during the October 3 protest is now underway. The status of ACP Vivek Bhagat's current duty charge assignment will remain pending until this inquiry has been conducted and satisfactorily concluded. The Delhi government's order assigning CDC to the other 11 DANIPS officers is expected to be reissued, according to thehindu.com.