New Delhi, 15 October (H.S.): The Supreme Court on Thursday granted interim protection to a woman journalist against whom Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat had lodged a case alleging caste-related remarks. The development comes days after the journalist alleged that the police officer had sexually harassed her while she was covering ongoing protests in Delhi.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, while hearing petitions related to the protests, directed that no coercive action be taken against the journalist for the time being.

“The woman journalist against whom these allegations have been made … please ensure that no coercive action is taken against her,” the CJI said.

The court further ordered that the journalist, whose complaint alleging sexual harassment is currently under consideration, be protected against any coercive action.

Appearing on behalf of the journalist, senior advocate Indira Jaising argued that the case alleging caste-related remarks had been registered with retaliatory intent because her client had accused the police officer of sexual harassment.

Jaising described the case as an alleged misuse of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, commonly known as the SC/ST Act.

The Supreme Court’s interim direction provides temporary protection against coercive action while the matter remains under consideration. The allegations made by both sides remain subject to the relevant legal proceedings.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar