"Concealing name badges, arbitrary detentions...": CPI MP Sandosh Kumar seeks Amit Shah’s intervention
CPI MP Sandosh Kumar writes to Amit Shah alleging Delhi Police are concealing identity badges and using excessive force during peaceful protests.
In a stinging critique of law enforcement tactics in the national capital, Communist Party of India (CPI) Member of Parliament P Sandosh Kumar has formally approached Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The MP is seeking urgent intervention regarding the conduct of the Delhi Police, alleging a pattern of violence, mass detentions, and the deliberate concealment of identity during peaceful political mobilisations.
Allegations of Unidentified Personnel and Hidden Badges
The core of Sandosh Kumar's grievance lies in the alleged lack of accountability among officers on the ground. In his letter to the Home Ministry, the MP highlighted a recurring and "concerning" practice: police personnel reportedly removing or hiding their identification tags and name badges before engaging in force or detaining protesters.
Citing Supreme Court directives and Delhi Police Standing Order No. 51, the MP argued that visible identification is a mandatory requirement for officers performing their duties. He maintained that such transparency is vital for accountability, especially when the state exercises coercive powers against its citizens. He specifically pointed to incidents on July 20, where personnel allegedly appeared without visible identification or operated in plain clothes while using force.
Protests at Jantar Mantar Under Scrutiny
The letter references recent demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, where citizens gathered to protest several critical issues, including:
- The NEET paper leak controversy.
- Concerns regarding the Election Commission of India’s functioning.
- The handling of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and Form-6 applications.
- Issues surrounding the Commission's IT systems.
Sandosh Kumar alleged that instead of ensuring the safety of those exercising their democratic rights, the Delhi Police—which operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs—has responded to these peaceful gatherings with mass detentions and violence.
Concerns Over Facial Recognition Technology
Beyond physical conduct, the CPI MP raised alarms over the deployment of facial-recognition technology during protests. He referenced an investigation suggesting that the system's use has raised serious questions, noting instances where individuals identified through the technology were reportedly already in custody for serious criminal cases.
The MP has demanded a time-bound inquiry into several specific areas of police conduct, including:
- The alleged use of excessive force.
- Arbitrary detentions of protesters.
- The removal or concealment of identification badges.
- The presence of unidentified plain-clothes personnel.
- The deployment of facial-recognition systems.
A Call to Protect Democratic Dissent
Concluding his plea, Sandosh Kumar urged the Union Home Ministry to issue strict instructions to ensure that citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest are protected rather than treated as enemies of the state. He remarked that democratic dissent should not be met with methods that are "reminiscent of the British Raj Police."
This formal complaint follows a period of heightened tension in the capital. Following protests at Jantar Mantar on October 2, the Delhi Police registered three FIRs, and further detentions were reported during subsequent demonstrations on October 3. Protesters have continued to raise allegations regarding the nature of police conduct during these recent events.