In a detailed affidavit to the Supreme Court, the Delhi Police acknowledged the deployment of facial recognition systems during NEET-UG protests, asserting that the move was a proportionate measure to identify serious criminals within the crowds.

  • Delhi Police admitted to using Facial Recognition System (FRS) during NEET-UG paper leak protests in the national capital.
  • The technology was used to identify 2,873 individuals with serious criminal backgrounds.
  • Police denied allegations of using 'nail lathis' or manhandling women protesters.
  • The force used was described as 'proportionate, reasonable, and graded' to manage the escalating crowd.

NEW DELHI: In a significant legal submission to the Supreme Court, the Delhi Police has acknowledged the use of a Facial Recognition System (FRS) during the NEET-UG paper leak protests. The police maintained that the deployment of such high-tech surveillance was conducted in "legitimate State interest" to maintain law and order in the national capital.

The police sought to debunk narratives suggesting that the biometrics of every protester were being harvested or sold to private entities. According to the affidavit, the FRS does not indiscriminately create profiles of peaceful citizens. Instead, it was specifically calibrated to flag individuals with previous criminal records. The police revealed that the system identified 2,873 persons with serious criminal antecedents, including 92 individuals involved in more than 10 cases, ranging from murder and rape to narcotics offenses.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the normalization of AI-powered surveillance during public demonstrations marks a pivotal shift in urban policing. By labeling the use of FRS as a 'bona fide' policing measure, the state is attempting to broaden the legal scope of surveillance. If the Supreme Court accepts this justification without strict guidelines, it could lead to a future where every public gathering is subjected to automated biometric screening.

"The intersection of AI surveillance and civil liberties is the new frontier of legal battles; the definition of 'state interest' must be narrowly construed to prevent mass surveillance."

Addressing the allegations of excessive force, the Delhi Police denied the use of 'nail lathis' (batons with nails). They claimed that a viral video showing such a weapon was actually a stick with the National Flag attached to it, likely carried by a protester. The police further stated that tear smoke shells were utilized only as a last resort and that plainclothes officers were deployed as 'spotters' to monitor anti-social elements.

Providing historical context, the police noted that the protests began on June 6. While permission was granted to the 'Cockroach Janta Party' for a small gathering of 500-600 people as a one-time exception, the movement expanded rapidly. The situation escalated on July 20 during a non-permitted 'Sansad Chalo' march, where protesters attempted to breach barricades to reach Parliament, necessitating a police response.

Did You Know?: Facial Recognition Systems work by analyzing the geometry of the face, such as the distance between the eyes and the shape of the jawline, to create a unique mathematical 'faceprint'.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Did the police collect data on all peaceful protesters?
The Delhi Police denies this, stating that FRS was only used to identify those with serious criminal records, not for indiscriminate surveillance.

p>Q2: What was the police response to the 'nail lathi' allegations?
The police denied the use of nail lathis, claiming the video evidence was misinterpreted and showed a flag-bearing stick.