New Delhi: Hundreds of Delhi Police personnel gathered at police headquarters (PHQ) Monday to protest against the transfer of ACP Manasvi Vashistha and inspector Arun Kumar following a confrontation between police personnel and lawyers at Shahdara police station on Oct 23. Delhi Police, however, described the gathering as a ‘sampark sabha’ (interaction).The transfers followed an alleged scuffle in which an advocate sustained a serious head injury. Lawyers accused the two officers of misbehaviour and alleged the ACP had brandished his pistol. Vashistha, previously posted in Gandhi Nagar, was transferred to SPUWAC, while Shahdara SHO Kumar was moved to the security unit.Vashistha, whose transfer triggered the demonstration, led the protest. Messages were circulated in WhatsApp groups comprising personnel, urging them to assemble at PHQ. Vashistha also posted a video appealing to police commissioner Anurag Kumar for an open-house discussion.The demonstration unfolded in two phases, outside the headquarters and later inside. While around 100 personnel gathered outside the PHQ but when the meeting was called, the number grew to about 500. Security was strengthened, with additional police and CAPF personnel deployed near Gate No. 1 and barricades erected.Several videos surfaced showing senior officers attempting to dissuade personnel from gathering. In one, DCP (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma reminded them that they belonged to a professional and disciplined force, and should raise their concerns through departmental channels.Speaking to reporters, Vashistha said the mobilisation was an organic call by police personnel and that he had joined it. He said a formal application had been submitted seeking a platform to present their grievances before senior officers.Addressing the gathering, the ACP called for a clear standard operating procedure (SOP) to deal with lawyers entering police stations. He said the entry of more than five people wearing black coats should be treated as an unlawful assembly. He also demanded a dedicated cell at PHQ to address such incidents, immediate cancellation of bar licences in cases of misbehaviour with police personnel and the deployment of two companies of security forces at every court complex. He also told the meeting he had filed an FIR and urged that the registered case should not be quashed.Protesters were seen holding placards featuring photographs of two retired IPS officers and ACP Vashistha. The placards read, “Our Heroes Forever.”A similar demonstration was organised Nov 2019 following clashes between police personnel and lawyers at Tis Hazari Court.A protesting policeman said the Bar Council could not dictate terms to Delhi Police personnel, adding they would fight for respect in a disciplined and peaceful manner. He also said police personnel should not be intimidated in courts, where they play an important role in the judicial process. Another policeman said they faced harassment from lawyers in court premises.A meeting was subsequently held at Aadarsh Auditorium attended by the police commissioner and senior officers. Personnel raised concerns over the dignity of the force, respect for the uniform and the need for a structured grievance-redressal mechanism.According to an official press note, the commissioner appreciated the force’s professionalism and commitment, particularly during law-and-order duties and the BRICS Summit, and assured prompt action on genuine grievances.Delhi Police also announced the formation of a joint coordination committee comprising representatives of bar associations and Bar Council of Delhi at district and PHQ levels to address issues faced by personnel while performing their duties. Matters relating to promotions, MACP, housing and other service-related concerns will also be examined. District and unit heads have been directed to hold regular meetings and ensure time-bound resolution of grievances under senior officers’ supervision.After the meeting, which lasted more than 40 minutes, several policemen returned to the road outside PHQ, with about 40 continuing their protest.
