Delhi High Court refuses to proceed with investigation of woman typist in SC/ST Act case filed by ACP

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (Oct 27, 2026) refused to stay the probe into a case filed by a police officer against a journalist for allegedly making casteist remarks and public humiliation against him during a protest at Jantar Mantar earlier this month.

Justice Mini Pushkarna said the court is not rejecting the interim prayer at this stage and is also not passing any order on it.

The court issued notices to the Delhi Police and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat, the complainant in the case, on the journalist’s petition seeking quashing of the FIR and asked them to submit their replies by November 16, the next date of hearing.

“I am not rejecting any prayer so far. I am only issuing a notice to them. The matter is to be considered, listed for final hearing on November 16,” the judge said.

Earlier, the journalist filed a sexual assault complaint against ACP Bhagat. Her complaint is being investigated by the Delhi Crime Police.

The scribe’s lawyer argued that the FIR lodged by the ACP was filed only to intimidate her from going ahead with the complaint against him.

The Supreme Court also passed a similar order on another plea by a male colleague of the journalist seeking quashing of the FIR registered against him.

The Delhi Police registered an FIR against a freelance journalist and others based on a complaint by Bhagat, posted in Connaught Place subdivision of New Delhi district, alleging casteist remarks, public humiliation and defamation directed at an officer during a protest.

The FIR was registered under relevant provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and sections 221 (obstructing a public servant in the performance of duty), 356(2) (defamation) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Published – 27 Oct 2026 17:36 IST