Delhi Police Tells Jantar Mantar Personnel to Report Only in Uniform

Delhi Police headquarters directed all personnel deployed at Jantar Mantar to report for duty in uniform and not in civilian dress, The Indian Express reported on July 22. The direction was circulated late on the night of July 21.

What happened

The directive followed widespread criticism after multiple videos circulated on social media showing men in plain clothes wielding police lathis and assaulting CJP protesters during Monday's Sansad Chalo march, according to The Indian Express.

The Cockroach Janta Party questioned Delhi Police in a social media post, asking: "Who are these lathi-armed goons in plainclothes? Who have you hired to beat us up?" Delhi Police had not publicly responded to the specific allegation about men in civilian clothes using police lathis at the time of the report.

An internal report prepared by the New Delhi district police described the use of "mild force" on Monday after clashes broke out at four locations: Sansad Marg, Rail Bhawan roundabout, Jantar Mantar, and the Connaught Place Outer Circle–Janpath stretch, the newspaper reported.

According to a police source cited by The Indian Express, three layers of barricades had been set up — at Tolstoy Marg, Sansad Marg, and near Transport Bhawan. Protesters reportedly broke through the first two, leaving only the final barricade between the crowd and the high-security zone.

What we can verify

• Delhi Police headquarters sent a direction requiring Jantar Mantar personnel to report in uniform, not plain clothes. — Indian Express
• Multiple videos circulated showing men in civilian dress carrying police lathis during the CJP protest. — Indian Express
• CJP publicly questioned Delhi Police about plainclothes personnel. — Indian Express
• Delhi Police had earlier registered an FIR over alleged assault on RAF personnel near Jantar Mantar. — Indian Express

What remains unverified

• This report does not independently identify people shown in the viral videos or establish their institutional affiliation.
• The internal police characterisation of "mild force" is a police claim, not an independently verified assessment.