New Delhi: The Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi has modified an order assigning additional charge to senior police officers following a request by one of them linked to allegations of harassment of women journalists. According to an official clarification posted on its X handle, the Delhi Government said that an order dated October 5, 2026, had assigned current duty charge of the post of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police to 12 officers of the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service (DANIPS). The order is now being modified in respect of Vivek Bhagat, Assistant Commissioner of Police.
Officials said that the proposal to confer the additional duty charge on these officers was initiated on August 25, well before the recent events that prompted public attention. The orders were issued only after due approval on October 5, 2026.
The clarification emphasised that the assignment of current duty charge is a temporary administrative arrangement. It confers no financial benefit on the officers concerned and does not allow them to exercise any statutory duties of the regular incumbents of the post.
Vivek Bhagat, of his own volition, has requested that he would not avail the current duty charge assignment until a full enquiry has been conducted into the matter of alleged harassment of women journalists and such enquiry has been satisfactorily concluded.
In light of his request, the October 5 order is being modified and will be reissued covering only the remaining eleven officers. The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Delhi Police following reports of alleged misconduct involving women journalists.
Authorities have underlined that the original proposal predated the controversy and that the arrangement remains purely temporary in nature. The modified order is expected to be issued shortly, indicating the officer’s decision to step aside pending the outcome of the enquiry.
Officials reiterated that no financial or statutory benefits accompany the temporary charge, meaning the limited scope of the arrangement.
Further details on the progress of the enquiry or any subsequent administrative actions have not been disclosed. The government has maintained that the process of assigning additional charge followed established procedures and timelines independent of the recent allegations.
(IANS)
