The police in Delhi have defended their use of facial recognition technology and other biometric surveillance measures during the recent student protests at Jantar Mantar , saying they were scanning criminals during the demonstrations.
The Delhi Police said more than 240 personnel were injured during the Cockroach Janta Party’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march on July 20.
Protesters run as security personnel fire tear gas shells during the protest by Cockroach Janta Party near Jantar Mantar on July 20 Photo Credit: ANI The affidavit, filed in response to the petitions seeking a court-monitored investigation into an alleged police crackdown, said that an application by the CJP sought permission to hold a peaceful demonstration with 500-600 participants, but the permission for the march to parliament was denied.
In an affidavit defending their action during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) “Sansad Chalo” protest march on July 20, the police also denied using “excessive force”. Despite loudspeaker warnings, police said the protesters breached barricades and damaged government and public property across several locations, including Rail Bhawan, Parliament Street, Connaught Place, Janpath, Tolstoy Marg, and Gole Market. On the use of facial recognition technology, which is also under challenge in a separate petition before the Supreme Court, the police said the system is not designed to automatically create or maintain profiles of protesters who have no criminal background.
