Delhi Police Uses Facial‑Recognition Tech at Jantar Mantar Protest, Identifies 2,500+ with Criminal Records

Delhi Police installed four facial‑recognition system (FRS) units and two AI‑enabled surveillance vans around the Jantar Mantar protest site after violence on July 20. The technology, which matches live camera feeds against the police database, has flagged more than 2,500 individuals as having criminal backgrounds, according to police sources. Officials say the system targets wanted criminals and habitual offenders, not ordinary demonstrators.

The deployment has sparked privacy and civil‑rights concerns. Reports note the use of AI‑powered smart glasses and mobile command vehicles that display faces with green boxes and personal details. Civil‑society groups have filed petitions in the Delhi High Court and appealed to the Central Information Commission, demanding a halt to live facial‑recognition and disclosure of the data‑retention rules. The protests are led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which continues to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET‑UG paper leaks.

Police have recorded 15 FIRs related to the July 20 clashes and say the surveillance is a preventive measure to deter anti‑social elements from exploiting the large student sit‑in, which has drawn thousands of participants nationwide.