Delhi Police explains why cops wore civil clothes during Jantar Mantar protest

The Delhi police clarified on Tuesday why officers were seen in civilian clothes during the crackdown on CJP protesters on July 20. Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma explained in a counter-affidavit filed before the Supreme Court that the officers were strategically deployed inside the crowd as "spotters" due to the urgency of the situation.

This tactic was neither illegal nor unusual and is commonly used during large public gatherings such as Independence Day and Republic Day events. The police maintained that the deployment was a planned crowd-control measure, not an unlawful use of force.

Responding to allegations of officers carrying lathis with nails, the police argued that the footage was being viewed "out of context." The affidavit stated that the officers were positioned within the crowd to monitor developments and respond to violence. The police also denied using excessive force, stating that the situation escalated after protesters breached several layers of barricades and attempted to move towards Parliament.

They claimed that the Parliament march had not been granted permission, making the attempt to move towards Parliament an unlawful act by an unlawful assembly.