NEW DELHI — Hundreds of Delhi Police personnel, including women officers, staged a protest outside the Police Headquarters on Monday, demanding the reinstatement of two senior officers transferred following a confrontation with lawyers at a city police station.
The demonstration, involving approximately 500 staff, occurred outside Gate No. 1 of the PHQ following a clash between police and lawyers at Shahdara police station. Protesters carried placards and raised slogans, including "vardi ka apmaan nahi sahenge" (we will not tolerate insult to the uniform), calling for the reinstatement of Assistant Commissioner of Police Manasvi Vashistha and Shahdara Station House Officer Inspector Arun Kumar.
A delegation of protesting personnel met with Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and submitted five demands, including action against lawyers involved in the Shahdara incident and the registration of FIRs against lawyers involved in "hooliganism." Delhi Police said in a statement that the commissioner assured the protesters of prompt and appropriate action to reinforce the morale of the force.
Tense moments unfolded as senior officers, including New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma, reached the spot and attempted to persuade the demonstrators to call off their protest. Subsequently, Assistant Commissioner of Police Manasvi Vashistha was suspended by Delhi Police over the demonstration.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions within the Delhi Police force and between law enforcement and legal professionals in the capital.
