New Delhi: Delhi Police personnel deployed during Tuesday’s Opposition protest against the Election Commission were equipped with body cameras, adding a layer of video documentation to security arrangements in central Delhi.
The move comes days after three women journalists alleged that they were sexually harassed by police personnel during an earlier demonstration at Jantar Mantar. One journalist alleged that Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat assaulted her during a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
New Delhi district Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma was also seen wearing a body camera while overseeing security arrangements. The cameras are expected to record interactions between police personnel and protesters, providing a video record of events and potentially helping establish what occurred if allegations are subsequently made against officers.
Central Delhi has witnessed a series of demonstrations in recent weeks linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Political parties, student groups and civil society organisations have held protests over the exercise and raised concerns about the way voter lists are being revised.
Heavy security was deployed ahead of the INDIA bloc protest, with multiple layers of barricades placed along routes leading towards Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission headquarters. Delhi Police, paramilitary personnel and Rapid Action Force units were positioned at key points between Makar Dwar, Ashoka Road, Parliament Street and Jantar Mantar.
Several buses were also stationed near the Election Commission building as part of the security arrangements.
The Opposition has been seeking Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the implementation of the voter roll revision exercise. Whether protesters would be permitted to proceed towards the Election Commission headquarters remained a key security concern.
Delhi Police maintained that no permission had been sought for the demonstration and pointed to prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita that remain in force in the area.
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