“Why Is Delhi Police Using AI Surveillance At The Jantar Mantar Protest?”, 27 July 2026

Thousands of students protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar are now being monitored not only by police personnel but also by AI-powered surveillance systems, facial recognition technology, body-worn cameras and mobile surveillance vans.

The use of these technologies has sparked a legal battle in the Delhi High Court and reignited a wider debate over privacy, civil liberties and the limits of police surveillance in public spaces.

While Delhi Police says the technology is being used to maintain law and order and identify known criminals, protesters and digital rights groups argue that continuous monitoring could infringe on the right to privacy and discourage peaceful assembly…

The issue is currently before the Delhi High Court after former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president Aishe Ghosh filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).

The petition alleges that since 20 June, Delhi Police has maintained continuous surveillance at Jantar Mantar through a permanent observation tower, photographers, videographers and AI-enabled monitoring equipment.

According to the plea, protesters were filmed not only during demonstrations but also while eating, resting and receiving medical assistance. It also alleges that police personnel threatened to send photographs and videos of student protesters to their parents, guardians and educational institutions.

The petition further alleges that women protesters continued to be photographed and filmed even after being soaked in rain during heavy showers.

Visuals from the protest site have also shown some Delhi Police personnel wearing Meta smart glasses while on duty. Delhi Police has not publicly explained how the devices were being used.

Appearing before the Delhi High Court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta rejected the allegation that Delhi Police was conducting surveillance.

He argued that photography and videography at Jantar Mantar are routine policing measures carried out to maintain law and order and ensure public safety, adding that protesters themselves frequently record and publish videos from the site. He described the petition as "luxury litigation"...