A protest site under a network of cameras and facial recognition systems

Mobile Command and Control and Ikshana Vehicle (mobile surveillance vehicle with artificial intelligence) during the Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 24, 2026. | Photo credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

As the crowd at Jantar Mantar continues to swell, the Delhi Police has deployed high-powered cameras and at least three mobile surveillance vehicles around the venue. The devices continuously capture live images and run them around a police database to identify and isolate people with criminal records.

Also Read: 24th July Jantar Mantar Protest Update

On Thursday (July 23, 2026) night, additional CCTV cameras were installed around Jantar Mantar and the images were played on screens in the mobile police control room.

Protesters have expressed concern over the use of such technology. “It’s quite scary because we didn’t inform our parents about taking part in the protest,” said Anushka, a first-year student at Delhi University, who was there for the first time on Friday (July 24). “We use masks to cover our faces, but it may not work against the surveillance mechanisms of the Delhi Police. It is highly unethical of them to use them without our consent, even if it is to track criminals,” she added.

Another participant said that monitoring has been going on since the first day of the protest. “Drones, videographers and CCTV are capturing footage of the protest. Police say it’s to track criminals, but what is the intent of this use? How can AI cameras determine the intent of a person at a protest?” asked Anuj Sharma from Dehradun, adding that he was not scared.

The Delhi Police has deployed its DP-Dristhi and Ikshana surveillance vehicles and a mobile command and control vehicle that uses artificial intelligence facial recognition technology to scan live CCTV feeds. Police say the technology is used to identify known offenders and investigate violence, while protesters say it has fueled fears among them of police surveillance and misuse of the footage.

Delhi Police also took video footage of the protests through ground cameramen and AI cameras used by police officials.

The Drishti van was launched in February to track offenders and criminals in high-traffic areas. Two other vans, the Command and Control Vehicle and the Ikshana, were also used by the police during the G-20 summit in 2023. They are equipped with multiple cameras providing a 360-degree view and are manned by trained CCTV personnel. The mobile command and control vehicle is used to monitor live CCTV and coordinate police operations on the ground.

Video cameras on the ground

Ravi (name changed), a professional photographer hired by the police, said the videos and pictures are handed over to the police at the end of the day. “I was hired six months ago by the Delhi Police. I have been covering the protest site since Monday. We have been asked to cover any activity that takes place at the protest site, especially if there are any violent incidents during the protest,” he said.

Another person handling the drone outside the front gate said she was hired on Friday. Carrying a pink slip that said “drone operator”, he said he was a professional photographer from Yamuna Vihar and had been called to provide pictures of the protest.

According to protesters, video surveillance began on the very first day of the protest. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition was also filed by former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union president Aishe Ghosh on July 15 over continuous video surveillance of the protest.

Some participants also said that there must be ways to counter these measures to protect their identity. “In Hong Kong, protesters used measures such as wearing masks, using cash to pay and removing biometric data from the phone, including fingerprints and face locks. These aspects need to be communicated to the people,” said Paul, a security consultant who was among those at the protest site.

Police said on Friday (July 24) that Facial Recognition System (FRS) cameras have been installed at various locations to “prevent anti-social elements and criminals from entering the Jantar Mantar protest”. A statement from the police said FRS cameras have been used earlier during major events in Delhi, including Republic Day and Independence Day, as well as during festivals. “It is absolutely false to say that these cameras were installed around Jantar Mantar in New Delhi district with the intention of spying on Jantar Mantar protesters. Delhi Police and central agencies have received inputs that cross-border terrorist organizations are also monitoring student protests and conspiring to disrupt the national atmosphere,” the statement said.

Published – 24 Jul 2026 23:45 IST