‘Only criminals’: Delhi Police denies mass surveillance at Jantar Mantar protests

Delhi Police have responded to allegations of mass surveillance using facial recognition technology during last month's student protests at Jantar Mantar, denying the claims in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court. According to the police, the system does not automatically capture or maintain profiles of every individual present at the protest site and is only deployed for those with prior criminal records.

The facial recognition system identifies only those with serious criminal backgrounds, including murder, rape, dacoity, and POCSO offenses. Of the 2,873 individuals identified through the system, 47 are history-sheeters with involvement in multiple serious criminal cases. The police stated that the deployment of the facial recognition system assisted in identifying persons with criminal antecedents, enabling timely preventive policing measures to maintain public order and ensure the safety of peaceful protesters.

The affidavit also refutes claims that the system was used to collect biometrics, summon individuals via Aadhaar details, or sell data to private entities, emphasizing that such allegations are false and counter-productive to restoring peace and tranquility.