New Delhi: High voltage drama unfolded Monday outside the Delhi Police Headquarters on Man Singh Road after nearly 80 police officers led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manasvi Vashisht held a protest against their own department seniors.
On Monday morning, several police officers gathered outside the PHQ, and expressed concerns over threats personnel face inside police stations. “If we are not safe inside the police stations, how can we ensure the safety of others,” said ACP Vashisht.
Commissioner of Police Anurag Kumar subsequently organised a ‘Sampark Sabha’ inside the PHQ where he heard the grievances of protesting police personnel. A statement issued by Delhi Police said he “assured them that prompt and appropriate actions will be taken to address their genuine concerns systematically to reinforce the morale of the force and uphold the dignity and honour of the police uniform”.
The protest came in the light of two transfers after an alleged altercation at the Shahdara police station. The matter dates back to 23 October, when an advocate alleged that he suffered serious head injury in a scuffle at the police station. The legal fraternity was assured that the uniformed individual accused of assault would be arrested, but the next day they were informed that no action was taken against him.
Lawyers had further alleged that during a meeting with senior police officers, one of them “waved his loaded revolver” and “threatened” them.
Subsequently, the district lawyers called an indefinite strike to protest alleged police inaction. Three days later, Vashisht, ACP (Gandhi Nagar subdivision), and Arun Kumar, station house officer (SHO) of Shahdara police station, were transferred to the Special Police Unit for Women and Children and the Security Division, respectively.
District court lawyers called off their protest only after the transfers were publicly announced.
Following the transfers, Commissioner Anurag Kumar met with senior officers and members of the Bar Council to discuss the incident and establish better coordination between them. Subsequently, a call was issued, asking police officers to gather outside the PHQ.
In a list of demands submitted to the Commissioner, protesting officers requested that the transfer order for the ACP and SHO be reversed, and sought an assurance that cases registered against lawyers involved in confrontation not be cancelled or withdrawn. They also demanded that cops taking part in the protest not face any legal or departmental action and an interactive meeting with the Commissioner be held to discuss “broader grievances regarding departmental pressure” and “one -sided actions against the force”.
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High voltage drama
On Monday morning, despite Section 163 of the BNSS being in effect in New Delhi district, nearly 80 police personnel gathered outside the Delhi Police Headquarters. Leading the protest, ACP Manasvi Vashisht said that rules must be put in place to stop the unlawful activities of the “behrupias (shapeshifters) in black coats”.
“Whenever more than five lawyers enter the court, it should be called an unlawful assembly and those behrupias in black coats must be removed from the spot,” said the ACP, before the Commissioner met the protesting personnel.
He added that the PHQ must have a cell that cancels the license of any lawyer who participates in “illegal” activities. “The court needs to take immediate cognisance of people who instigate violence. Police officers must be able to enter courts with dignity,” he said.
The ACP further said that the officers had submitted a written list of demands and sought an audience at the auditorium inside PHQ in the presence of the Commissioner of Police. “We have made our demands, we don’t wish to march or anything but we want the Commissioner to hear us out. So far, we have not received any communication,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma was seen making attempts to contain the protest. “We are a disciplined force. Do not behave like protesters,” he appealed to the protesting personnel. While he kept insisting that they come inside the PHQ, the protesting personnel refused.
The statement issued by Delhi Police later in the day said that during the meeting with various lawyers’ organisations, it has been decided to constitute a joint coordination committee with their representatives at district and PHQ level to address issues arising in the discharge of official duties by police officials.
“Matters relating to promotions, MACP, housing and other service-related issues will also receive due attention,” the statement read.
It added that all District and Unit Heads have been directed to hold regular Sampark Sabhas at their respective levels, ensure direct interaction with police personnel across all ranks, promptly examine their grievances and initiate time-bound remedial action. “Senior officers shall personally monitor the resolution of grievances and ensure that no genuine concern remains unaddressed,” it said.
In 2019 a similar protest had taken place when more than 2,000 police personnel and their family members had gathered outside the erstwhile PHQ at ITO following a confrontation between policemen and lawyers over a parking dispute. A haunting image from that protest was when the then Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik had stepped out to address the demonstrators but they raised slogans that drowned out his voice.
The protest was called off after the top brass assured protesting police personnel that a review petition would be filed in court, medical assistance would be provided to the injured and a minimum ex-gratia of Rs 25,000 paid to them.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)