New Delhi: Refuting allegations that the deployment of police personnel in plain clothes during the Sansad Chalo March on 20 July was illegal and in violation of rules, the Delhi Police has informed the Supreme Court that they were deployed to merge with the crowd and assist people facing harassment at the protest site by anti-social elements.
Additionally, the apex court was informed that the deployment of such personnel, called ‘Spotters’, at big rallies or gatherings like Republic Day or Independence Day is a standard police arrangement adopted by the Delhi Police.
These submissions were made by New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sachin Sharma in his affidavit before the Supreme Court during a hearing on a writ petition related to episodes of violence and police brutality on protestors across the country.
“It is submitted that there are many videos that have surfaced showing police officials operating in plain clothes when the protest became violent. It is most humbly submitted that the deployment of police staff in plain clothes in the big rallies and demonstrations, Republic Day gathering, Independence Day gathering or any big congregation is a part of normal arrangement that is followed by the Police Departments globally so as to keep a vigil on anti-social elements or any criminal activity that pose a threat to the gathering or movement. These officers in plain clothes are called ‘spotters’,” the Delhi Police submitted in the affidavit.
These spotters, the Delhi Police submitted, belonged to the special wings of the police force, such as the Special Branch, Special Cell, and Crime Branch, as well as to the local unit of the police.
“It is therefore, humbly submitted that the misconception of the Writ Petitioners regarding the presence of police officials in plain clothes being contrary to the set rules of uniform is totally unsustainable. These officers in plain clothes were a part of the arrangement that was issued for the management of the crowd during the relevant days. It is reiterated that these officers had in fact merged with the protesters to avoid being identified by the anti-social elements and criminals and to be in a position to provide immediate assistance to anyone being harassed at the protest site,” the affidavit read.
In the affidavit, the DCP informed court that there was neither permission sought for the rally by the CJP, nor was the rally permitted. Hence, it was an unlawful assembly and the attempt to move towards Parliament was ‘an illegal act’.
ThePrint had earlier reported that several videos emerged from the day of the protest showing men in civilian clothes hitting protesters during the CJP protest, triggering outrage. Delhi Police had then confirmed that the policemen were deployed as reinforcements for law-and-order duties.
“The videos that are being circulated showing police with lathis in plain clothes was a crowd control measure which is being shown out of context,” the Delhi Police further said in the affidavit.
Moreover, the Delhi Police refuted the allegations of use of excessive force on the protestors during the protests leading to severe injuries to dozens of protestors, including one girl who required ventilator support during treatment.
The New Delhi district police chief said in the affidavit that around 200 people from the protesters were left injured and underwent medico-legal examination, and so did more than 240 uniformed personnel, including police personnel, who were injured during duty on the day of the protest.
However, the DCP submitted that only 5,000 police personnel had the duty of controlling the crowd of more than 30,000 in the radius of around 3 km and hence the injuries inflicted upon protesters cannot be qualified as an example of use of excessive force.
“It is an admitted fact that while discharging their lawful duties during the incident, more than 240 police personnels/ uniformed officers sustained multiple injuries, many of them serious in nature, corresponding MedicoLegal Cases were prepared and are available on record. Similarly, around 200 members of the public/protesters also underwent medico-legal examination,” the DCP submitted in the affidavit.
“It is most humbly submitted that in a crowd spanning over more than 30,000 people spread across a radius of approximately 3 km, where only 5,000 police officers were endeavoring to control the crowd and restore peace, the injuries sustained by the 218 protestors, though very unfortunate, the same may not be qualified on account of use of any excess force. The same unfortunately were sustained when the crowd become completely out of control and the struggle that occurred between the police and the unruly elements,” the officer further said.
(Edited by Nardeep Singh Dahiya)
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