New Delhi, Oct 14: Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat, posted in Delhi’s Connaught Place subdivision, has lodged an FIR against a woman journalist and two others, alleging that they made casteist remarks against him, publicly humiliated him and obstructed him from performing his official duties during a protest in the national capital on October 3.

The FIR, registered at Parliament Street Police Station on October 13, names journalist Rosy, Gajendra Singh, associated with a news portal, and an unidentified person as accused. The case has been registered under Sections 221, 356(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Bhagat has been in the spotlight amid allegations of harassment of women protesters during the recent agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The allegations are being investigated by the Crime Branch.

According to the complaint filed by ACP Vivek Bhagat, who belongs to the Megh/Meghwal Scheduled Caste community, the alleged incident took place at Buta Singh Roundabout on October 3, when police personnel were deployed to manage a protest called by Neha Bora and others against the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Bhagat stated that protesters had gathered around 2.30 p.m. and were attempting to proceed towards Jantar Mantar. Despite police announcements regarding the enforcement of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and requests to disperse, the protesters allegedly refused to move, following which police personnel began detaining them.

The ACP alleged that before the detention process, Rosy, in the presence of her colleague Gajendra Singh and others, made derogatory remarks referring to his nameplate and caste identity.

According to the complaint, she allegedly said, “Ye Bhagat hai, Meghwal hote hain, ye choti jaati ke hote hai, silai bunai ka kaam karte hai, ye *** kahan se ACP ban gaya.” (This is Bhagat; they are Meghwals, belonging to a lower caste. They do sewing and stitching work. How the hell did this fellow become an ACP?)

Bhagat said he ignored the remarks and continued performing his duty. He further alleged that around 3 p.m., while facilitating the movement of a bus carrying detainees, Rosy accused him of sexually assaulting her. He claimed that she and her colleagues repeatedly confronted him, questioned his conduct and obstructed his official work.

The complaint further states that Rosy, Gajendra Singh and others staged a protest outside Parliament Street Police Station around 6.15 p.m. the same evening, raising slogans against him and allegedly portraying him as a sexual predator and potential rapist.

Bhagat also alleged that several posts and reels were subsequently circulated on X and Instagram by the accused and others, including members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), damaging his reputation.

The ACP claimed that the allegations and online posts had caused him mental trauma and reputational damage. He also expressed apprehension that the actions were intended to target and humiliate him because of his caste identity.

The FIR states that, prima facie, offences under the relevant provisions of the BNS and the SC/ST Act were made out. Further investigation has been assigned to ACP Ajay Kumar Sharma of Parliament Street subdivision.

New Delhi, Oct 14: A wide cross-section of the Harvard community on Wednesday expressed concern over the ‘negative public discourse’ and ‘concerted campaign’ against India’s constitutional institutions, in light of the ongoing Delhi protests against the Election Commission and ‘vote chori’, and also dubbed the assertions by the university’s alumni as “alarming and troubling”.

The Harvard Community, including lawyers, policymakers, civil servants, scientists and academicians, has voiced strong opposition to alleged attempts at using Harvard University’s name to lend credibility to a political campaign without appropriate authorisation.

“In moments such as these, silence cannot be an excuse for indifference,” said many Indian citizens associated with Harvard and other famed Universities, who are signatories to this statement.

This comes a day after about 100 Harvard University alumni comprising students, faculty and staff members condemned the crackdown on the CJP-led protests in the national capital on October 10, while alleging police brutality and violation of constitutional rights.

The signatories to the Harvard community statement expressed deep concern over attempts to malign institutions, such as the Election Commission of India, the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of India, and Parliament.

They also took strong exception to the language used to describe India as being under “siege” and to characterise constitutional authorities as “thieves” or “compromised”.

“This raises serious concerns about the intent to undermine public trust in democratic institutions,” the statement said.

It further said that the law enforcement agencies are expected to undergo fair scrutiny, but sweeping accusations and abusive rhetoric cannot be a substitute for evidence.

It also calls for respecting the Constitution, the rule of law, and civil liberties at all times, not just when it suits one’s interests.

“Our commitment must remain to the Constitution, not convenience; to justice, not selective outrage; and to democratic institutions, not the politics of accusation,” it said.

Notably, a day ago, the Harvard Club of India came out with a clarification that it did not endorse or issue any statement from the University regarding the ongoing protests in Delhi.

The club distanced itself from the reported Harvard alumni letter and said the statement did not represent the organisation’s official position, hinting that it was rather their personal opinion.

Mumbai, Oct 14: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has intensified its operations against the network linked to Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti after the latter was declared a terrorist organisation, with intelligence inputs suggesting that around 16 handlers associated with the network are on its hit list.

The handlers reportedly include Amal Gujjar, Abad Jat, Farooq Khokhar, Jaffar Supari, Shani Tiger, Rana Hunain, Hassan Gujjar, Sohail Ahmed alias Sohail Baloch, Sardar Zorasingh alias Dogar, Yawar Khan, Hammad Menon, Sohail Chaudhary, Sheikh Salman, Sarfaraz Dogar, Abu Musa, Nomi Khan and Munna Zingada.

According to intelligence inputs, the handlers are allegedly attempting to create unrest in India through their network, with several members believed to be active within the country. Young people are reportedly being lured into the network through tasks such as recording videos of specific locations, putting up posters promoting terror activities and sharing information, including the contact details of ministers.

In return, the youths are allegedly offered money, weapons or opportunities to travel abroad. Investigating agencies are closely monitoring these activities, and individuals interacting with members of the network could come under scrutiny. Authorities may also initiate legal action under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), depending on the nature of the activities and available evidence.

Shahzad Bhatti and his handlers reportedly face more than 100 cases across Delhi, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Maharashtra and Punjab. Punjab accounts for the highest number, with 25 cases, including 20 registered under the UAPA, according to the information available.

The Maharashtra ATS has appealed to citizens to exercise caution while interacting with unknown or suspicious individuals on social media. It has also advised parents to monitor their children’s online activities and remain alert to sudden changes in their behaviour.

The agency has warned people against offers promising easy money, noting that seemingly harmless tasks assigned by strangers could potentially be linked to larger terror-related activities.

Citizens have also been urged not to believe or circulate rumours that could threaten national unity or disturb law and order. The ATS has asserted that those involved in anti-national activities will face action under the law.

Earlier in September, the Union government declared the Shahzad Bhatti Network a terrorist organisation under the UAPA, according to a notification issued by the Union Home Ministry.

The ministry said the organisation was involved in the cross-border smuggling of arms, explosives and narcotics, besides allegedly radicalising youths and petty criminals and drawing them into terrorist activities.

The network had also allegedly disseminated hateful digital content targeting India’s democratic institutions and communal harmony.

The Home Ministry said the designation was part of the government’s policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.