The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition that sought to halt the police investigation of a female journalist. The petition, filed by the journalist, argued that the probe infringed on her press‑freedom rights. Instead, the court issued a notice to the Delhi Police and will review the case after the police file their response.
ACP Vivek Bhagat, a senior officer in the Delhi Police, filed a complaint after the journalist allegedly publicly humiliated him with casteist slurs during demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Bhagat claims the journalist used derogatory language to undermine his authority while he was performing official duties. She, in turn, has accused the officer of sexual harassment but has not yet registered a formal FIR.
The court clarified that it was not issuing a reasoned order at this stage and that the stay petition would be considered only after the police submit their reply. It also noted that the case remains pending until the hearing scheduled for November 17.
Legal analysts say the decision underscores the court’s willingness to keep investigations open while ensuring due process for all parties. They point out that similar cases involving journalists have seen mixed outcomes, and this ruling may influence future press‑freedom litigation.
Both the police and the journalist’s legal team are now preparing for the upcoming hearing, which will determine whether the investigation can proceed or be paused. The trial’s outcome will have ramifications for how police conduct is scrutinized during public protests.