Ex-bureaucrat defends Delhi HC against ‘large-scale’ deployment of CAPF during protests

A supporter shouted slogans near Central Park during the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). File | Photo credit: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP

Former civil servant Ashish Joshi has approached the Delhi High Court challenging the alleged large-scale deployment of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in Delhi to handle protests and maintain public order.

In his Public Interest Litigation (PIL), Mr Joshi is seeking a judicial review of the legal and administrative basis for the large-scale deployment and repeated expansion of CAPFs in Delhi.

In a post on his social media account on ‘X’, Mr Joshi said: “The PIL raises fundamental constitutional questions under Articles 14, 19 and 21 regarding the necessity, proportionality, duration and periodic review of such deployment, particularly in the context of a peaceful democratic assembly”.

“Reports indicate that 301 companies were initially approved. 273 companies were extended until October 31, 2026. And another extension of 270 companies until November 16, 2026,” he said.

Among other things, the petition seeks directions to the authorities to make public the original orders issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Delhi Police requirements, risk assessments and other records forming the basis of the deployment and its subsequent extensions.

It also sought a harmonized, strength and data breakdown of the companies cleared for deployment, their sanctioned strength, the number of personnel mobilized to Delhi, those who actually reported for duty and the number assigned to protest-related duties.

The petition further calls for an assessment of the deployment’s impact on other security responsibilities, including counterinsurgency operations, border security, election preparedness and disaster response.

Mr. Joshi also sought a written protocol to govern the large-scale deployment of the CAPF for protest-related public order tasks.

Published – 30 Oct 2026 19:37 IST