Delhi HC refuses to stay probe against journalist in SC/ST case
- Delhi High Court declined to stay the investigation into a case against a journalist.
- ACP Vivek Bhagat filed the complaint alleging casteist remarks were made against him.
- The journalist previously accused the ACP of groping her during a protest.
- The sexual harassment complaint against the ACP has been moved to the Crime Branch.
- The court will hear the case on its merits on November 17.
On Tuesday, 27 October 2026, the Delhi High Court declined to halt the probe into a first information report concerning a female journalist alleged to have uttered casteist comments. Justice Mini Pushkarna dispatched a notice regarding the journalist’s petition and indicated that she will consider the merits of the case once the police response is received.
Senior Advocate Tanveer Ahmed Mir represented the journalist and requested a stay of the investigation during the court proceedings. The court declined to provide that relief at this time and ordered that the investigation will continue.
In a separate statement on Tuesday, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced that the Kerala government acknowledged police shortcomings in a Mercedes‑Benz collision that involved the under‑age son of a judge. The authorities amended the FIR by adding Section 199A to name the judge—owner of the vehicle—and instructed police to pursue the revocation of the minor’s bail.
The minister reaffirmed that the judge would not be given any special treatment and condemned the rapid granting of bail to the minor.
Family members alleged that the handling of the case reflected an effort to shield the accused. The victim’s daughter called for the police station’s CCTV recordings to determine if officers assisted the accused.
The Assistant Director General of Police confirmed the claim that a relative’s picture of the minor was removed from a phone following the judge’s instruction. According to reports, officers were suspended after police took down a sign linking the vehicle to the judiciary and hastily dismissed the possibility of alcohol involvement. Following his bail release, the minor is said to have erased videos that captured speeding and set his Instagram profile to private.
Allegations of sexual assault and counter-complaint
The journalist claimed that ACP Vivek Bhagat touched her inappropriately on 3 October 2026 as she recorded a video of student leader Neha Bora’s detention. According to Scroll.in, the arrest took place amid demonstrations calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to step down.
That evening, 3 October 2026, the journalist together with her coworkers organized a protest in front of the Parliament Street police station. Bhagat claimed in his complaint that the group described him as a "sexual predator" and "potential rapist" during this demonstration.
On 13 October 2026, Bhagat, a member of a scheduled caste, lodged a grievance asserting that the journalist uttered disparaging comments about his caste during the demonstrations.
Journalist's background and legal defense
The journalist belongs to Nagaland’s Lyngdoh community, recognized as a scheduled tribe. She is currently seeking to have the First Information Report against her quashed and is requesting interim protection from arrest. A male journalist who was with her has also filed an application with the High Court.
Advocate Tanvir Ahmed Mir, representing the journalist, described Bhagat’s filing as "nothing but a retaliated and revengeful action".
Status of the sexual harassment case against ACP
The First Information Report noted that the sexual harassment complaint against Bhagat has been transferred to the Delhi Crime Branch.
The Supreme Court extended interim protection to the journalist on 15 October 2026.
Next steps in the legal proceedings
The daughter of Jayabalakrishnan has demanded that CCTV footage be examined. The Additional Director General of Police for Law and Order, P. Vijayan, visited Kochi to look into concerns raised by the family.
The matter has been scheduled for a final hearing on the merits of the petition on 17 November 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
- No stay on probe against journalist in SC/ST case filed after she accused ACP of sexual assault (scroll.in)
- In Mercedes Death Case, FIR Against Judge. Kerala Admits Probe Lapses (ndtv.com)
- Delhi HC issues notice on journalists' pleas, refuses to stay probe in ACP Vivek Bhagat's SC/ST act case l (m.economictimes.com)
Add NewsPulse Time as a preferred source on Google