📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Sudipta Maulik
Politics
Delhi Police Files Supreme Court Petition Over Jantar Mantar Crackdown
✍️ NDTV
🗓 19 Aug 2026, 05:39 AM
👁 5
The Delhi police have approached the Supreme Court seeking relief from criticism over the recent crackdown at Jantar Mantar, arguing that the media portrayal is one‑sided.
Delhi police submitted a petition to the Supreme Court on Monday, contesting the narrative that the force used excessive measures during the recent operation at Jantar Mantar. The petition asserts that the police action was lawful, proportionate, and aimed at maintaining public order amid ongoing protests.
According to the filing, the police claim that media reports have presented a "one‑sided picture" that undermines the department’s efforts to enforce the law. The petition seeks a directive that would prevent further misrepresentation and protect the reputation of law‑enforcement agencies.
Legal experts note that the Supreme Court’s intervention could set a precedent for how police actions during public demonstrations are reported and reviewed. The case is expected to be heard in the coming weeks, with both the police and civil‑rights groups preparing their arguments.
The Jantar Mantar site, a traditional venue for protests in Delhi, has seen several large gatherings in recent months, prompting heightened security measures. The police maintain that their response was calibrated to avoid escalation while ensuring safety for demonstrators and the public.
According to the filing, the police claim that media reports have presented a "one‑sided picture" that undermines the department’s efforts to enforce the law. The petition seeks a directive that would prevent further misrepresentation and protect the reputation of law‑enforcement agencies.
Legal experts note that the Supreme Court’s intervention could set a precedent for how police actions during public demonstrations are reported and reviewed. The case is expected to be heard in the coming weeks, with both the police and civil‑rights groups preparing their arguments.
The Jantar Mantar site, a traditional venue for protests in Delhi, has seen several large gatherings in recent months, prompting heightened security measures. The police maintain that their response was calibrated to avoid escalation while ensuring safety for demonstrators and the public.