NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police have denied using “excessive force” during a march by students from Jantar Mantar to Parliament on July 20, informing the Supreme Court that it exercised “maximum restraint” and used only the “minimum required force” to control protesters.In an affidavit filed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi District) Sachin Sharma, the police said no permission had been granted for the march, rendering the gathering illegal and the attempt to move towards Parliament an unlawful act by an “unlawful assembly”.According to the affidavit, the situation deteriorated after protesters turned violent and broke through several layers of barricades while attempting to proceed towards Parliament.The police also rejected allegations that personnel used lathis fitted with nails, describing the footage cited in support of the claim as “only a solitary video”. It clarified that the object visible in the video was a stick carrying a national flag, “possibly carried by some demonstrator”. No medical evidence supported claims that protesters were injured by nail-studded lathis, with none of the medico-legal certificates (MLCs) recording such injuries.On facial recognition technology, which is under challenge in a separate petition, the police maintained that the system does not automatically create or maintain profiles of demonstrators without criminal backgrounds. It generates alerts when individuals with previous criminal antecedents are identified, after which personnel on the ground verify their details.
Probe to be limited to 2,873 individuals
The affidavit noted that between July 20 and 26, the system identified 2,873 individuals whose facial matches corresponded with existing criminal records. Of these, 92 were allegedly involved in more than 10 criminal cases and 47 had been declared history-sheeters. The offences included serious crimes such as murder and rape, as well as violations under the POCSO and NDPS Acts.The police clarified that any investigation arising from the demonstrations would be limited to these 2,873 individuals and would not extend to those who were not flagged by the system.
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The force also highlighted the deployment of more than 4,600 women police personnel during these six days, describing the arrangement as a “measure to protect the security and dignity of women protesters.”On the use of lathis, the affidavit described them as “acceptable and permissible helping gear” and maintained that protective equipment issued to personnel had been properly accounted for, with its deployment backed by records.The Supreme Court is hearing a batch of petitions alleging excessive police action against students who participated in protests at Jantar Mantar and elsewhere over the NEET examination paper leaks.(With ANI inputs)
