New Delhi: Hundreds of Delhi Police personnel gathered at police headquarters (PHQ) Monday to protest against the transfer of ACP Manasvi Vashistha and inspector Arun Kumar following a confrontation between police personnel and lawyers at Shahdara police station on Oct 23. Delhi Police, however, described the gathering as a ‘sampark sabha’ (interaction).
the number grew to about 500 While around 100 personnel gathered outside the PHQ but when the meeting was called. A similar demonstration was organised Nov 2019 following clashes between police personnel and lawyers at Tis Hazari Court.
He said the entry of more than five people wearing black coats should be treated as an unlawful assembly. He also told the meeting he had filed an FIR and urged that the registered case should not be quashed. A protesting policeman said the Bar Council could not dictate terms to Delhi Police personnel, adding they would fight for respect in a disciplined and peaceful manner. He also said police personnel should not be intimidated in courts, where they play an important role in the judicial process. Another policeman said they faced harassment from lawyers in court premises.
The transfers followed an alleged scuffle in which an advocate sustained a serious head injury. Lawyers accused the two officers of misbehaviour and alleged the ACP had brandished his pistol. Vashistha, whose transfer triggered the demonstration, led the protest. Messages were circulated in WhatsApp groups comprising personnel, urging them to assemble at PHQ. Vashistha also posted a video appealing to police commissioner Anurag Kumar for an open-house discussion. The demonstration unfolded in two phases, outside the headquarters and later inside. Security was strengthened, with additional police and CAPF personnel deployed near Gate No. Several videos surfaced showing senior officers attempting to dissuade personnel from gathering. In one, DCP (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma reminded them that they belonged to a professional and disciplined force, and should raise their concerns through departmental channels. Addressing the gathering, the ACP called for a clear standard operating procedure (SOP) to deal with lawyers entering police stations. He also demanded a dedicated cell at PHQ to address such incidents, immediate cancellation of bar licences in cases of misbehaviour with police personnel and the deployment of two companies of security forces at every court complex.
Vashistha, previously posted in Gandhi Nagar, was transferred to SPUWAC, while Shahdara SHO Kumar was moved to the security unit.