The Delhi High Court declined to halt the investigation into an FIR filed against a woman journalist accused of making casteist remarks by Delhi Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat, who had earlier accused her of sexual harassment.
On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court refused to stay the investigation into a first information report (FIR) filed against a female journalist following allegations of casteist remarks made by Delhi Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat. The journalist had accused Bhagat of sexual harassment during a protest on October 3, while filming student leader Neha Bora's detention. In his complaint, filed on October 13, Bhagat, a member of a scheduled caste community, alleged that the journalist made derogatory remarks about his caste group during the protests.
During the hearing on Tuesday, advocate Tanvir Ahmed Mir, representing the journalist, stated that Bhagat's complaint was 'retaliated and revengeful action.' Mir also highlighted that the journalist belongs to the Lyngdoh community of Nagaland, a scheduled tribe group. Justice Mini Pushkarna issued notice on the journalist’s petition, with the judge stating, 'I will hear it on merits once [police] reply is there.’ The investigation will continue, and the matter has been scheduled for final hearing on November 17.
Bhagat had claimed in his complaint that on the evening of October 3, the journalist and her colleagues staged a protest outside the Parliament Street police station and described him as a ‘sexual predator’ and ‘potential rapist.’ Bhagat also mentioned that the sexual harassment complaint against him had been transferred to the Delhi Crime Branch. The FIR further stated that these allegations caused him mental distress and damaged his reputation.
Previously, on October 15, the Supreme Court granted interim protection to the journalist.
Source:
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