Delhi Police Defends Surveillance and Denies Excessive Force in Jantar Mantar Protest
Delhi Police has defended its use of facial recognition technology and biometric surveillance during the July 20 student demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, while denying allegations of using excessive force as protests spilled across central Delhi locations, including Connaught Place.
In a 97-page counter-affidavit submitted in response to petitions seeking a court-monitored investigation, police stated that officers exercised maximum restraint and used only the minimum required force. They maintained that personnel acted in good faith to preserve law and order and protect Parliament House alongside other vital installations.
According to the affidavit, the Cockroach Janta Party had sought permission for a peaceful gathering of 500 to 600 participants for its "Sansad Chalo" march against alleged irregularities in the NEET medical entrance examination. Although permission to march to Parliament was denied, over 30,000 protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar on the first day of the monsoon session.
Police stated that despite warnings broadcast over loudspeakers, crowds breached barricades and damaged public and government property across Rail Bhawan, Parliament Street, Connaught Place, Janpath, Tolstoy Marg, and Gole Market. More than 240 police personnel sustained injuries after being attacked with stones and sticks, with protesters removing protective gear and helmets from officers.
Addressing the use of facial recognition technology, which is also being challenged before the Supreme Court, police said the system was used to identify individuals with existing criminal records rather than to profile peaceful participants. Ground personnel verified alerts generated by the system, which identified 2,873 individuals with criminal records between July 20 and July 26. Among them, 92 were allegedly involved in more than 10 criminal cases and 47 were declared history-sheeters.
The department also noted that over 4,600 women police personnel were deployed across the six days of demonstrations to safeguard the security and dignity of female participants. The demonstrations demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who resigned on July 25.
