Hours after a section of the Delhi media reported that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had authorised Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar to exercise detention powers under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, for a three-month period from July 19 to October 18, the Delhi police issued a clarification.
It stated that the authorisation is a routine administrative renewal carried out every three months and has no connection with the ongoing protests in the national capital.
According to the Delhi police, the extension was approved on July 7, well before the current demonstrations began. The force emphasised that no specific request had been made in the present context and described the renewal as a standard administrative exercise.
The clarification came amid continuing protests across Delhi, including demonstrations at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Education Minister of India Dharmendra Pradhan. Meanwhile, fresh clashes broke out near Jantar Mantar on Wednesday night after protesters and armed personnel confronted each other on Sansad Marg, prompting authorities to temporarily suspend internet services in parts of Central Delhi.
Many students have been detained during the ongoing protests, with several videos circulating on social media purportedly showing police using batons to disperse demonstrators, including female students. The footage has sparked widespread criticism online.
Several activists and social media influencers have also reached the protest site, sharing live updates and expressing support for the demonstrators.
On July 22, Bollywood actress Ayesha Khan claimed she was detained by the police while attending the protest. She shared a video on social media showing what she said was her detention.
Later, she went live from what appeared to be a police station, where she addressed her followers and spoke about the ongoing protests.
