New Delhi: The Delhi Police has told the Supreme Court that the attempted march towards Parliament by students and other protesters on July 20 was unlawful as no permission had been granted for the march. The police also denied allegations of excessive use of force, maintaining that its personnel acted in a graded and proportionate manner as the situation escalated.
In an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court ahead of the hearing, Delhi Police detailed the circumstances surrounding the protest, the deployment of security personnel and the steps taken to control the crowd. The police said the demonstration at Jantar Mantar was initially peaceful but later turned confrontational after some protesters allegedly broke barricades and tried to proceed towards Parliament.
Delhi Police says 30,000 people gathered at protest
According to the affidavit, around 30,000 people were present in the Jantar Mantar area during the protest, with the gathering stretching across nearly three kilometres. Around 5,000 police personnel were deployed to manage the crowd and maintain law and order.
The police said the situation changed when groups of protesters allegedly breached barricades at several points and attempted to move towards Parliament despite permission for such a march not being granted.
Delhi Police maintained that the use of force became necessary only after the situation escalated. It said police action was carried out gradually and according to the circumstances, with the objective of preventing the crowd from advancing and restoring order.
The police further questioned the material relied upon in petitions alleging excessive force, saying that selected photographs, incomplete videos and social media posts did not present the complete sequence of events.
Over 240 security personnel injured
Delhi Police said more than 240 police and other security personnel were injured during the confrontation, while around 200 protesters also sustained injuries.
The affidavit stated that some individuals involved in the protest had criminal cases registered against them. Police said around 2,873 people had cases involving offences including murder, attempt to murder, robbery, rape and violations under the POCSO Act. Their backgrounds and alleged involvement in the July 20 incidents are to be examined by a Special Investigation Team constituted by Delhi Police.
Responding to allegations concerning a baton fitted with sharp nails, the police acknowledged that a video showed such an object but claimed it was in the hands of a protester and not a police officer. It further said the object was a stick carrying the national flag and denied that its personnel used such an item as a weapon.
Police explains plainclothes deployment and facial recognition
Delhi Police also explained why some personnel were deployed in plain clothes during the protest. According to the affidavit, officers from the Special Branch, Special Cell, Crime Branch and local police were present to monitor the gathering and provide real-time information about developments.
The police said deployment of plainclothes personnel is a routine security arrangement during large public gatherings.
On the use of facial recognition software, Delhi Police said it was used as a limited surveillance measure and was considered necessary given the scale of the gathering and the prevailing circumstances.
The police has also informed the Supreme Court that it will cooperate fully if the court decides to constitute an independent committee to examine the police response and the use of force during the July 20 protest.