Photo: IANS
New Delhi: The Delhi Lieutenant Governor has authorised the Commissioner of Police to exercise powers under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, for a three-month period from July 19 to October 18, 2026, allowing the police chief to issue preventive detention orders under the Act.
The authorisation was issued through a notification by the Home Department of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi on July 15. Citing Section 3(3) read with Section 2(e) of the NSA, the notification empowers the Police Commissioner to function as a detaining authority during the specified period, Maktoob Media reported.
The notification sparked widespread discussion on social media, particularly as it coincided with the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led student protests at Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET examination irregularities. Many social media users questioned the timing of the notification and expressed apprehension that the preventive detention law could be invoked against demonstrators.
Several social media users questioned the timing of the order and expressed concern that the NSA, which they described as a stringent preventive detention law, could be invoked against protesters.
Delhi Police, however, denied any connection between the authorisation and the ongoing demonstrations. In a statement, the police said reports suggesting that the powers had been granted to suppress the CJP protests were incorrect.
The force clarified that the authorisation was part of a routine administrative process carried out every three months. According to Delhi Police, the present renewal had been issued on July 7 for the period between July 19 and October 18, well before the CJP protests intensified. It further stated that no specific request had been made in the context of the ongoing agitation and alleged that some media reports had interpreted the routine notification out of context.
Under the National Security Act, authorities may order preventive detention to prevent individuals from acting in a manner considered prejudicial to national security, public order or the maintenance of essential supplies and services. The law permits detention for extended periods, subject to statutory safeguards such as review by an Advisory Board, although it has long faced criticism from civil liberties groups over its broad preventive detention provisions.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi described the NSA as a "draconian" law and alleged that the government could use it to suppress the protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil also questioned the timing of the notification, calling it a matter of concern.
The notification comes at a time when students have been continuing their protest at Jantar Mantar under the banner of the CJP, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and reforms to the examination system following the alleged NEET paper leak.
The agitation intensified after Delhi Police used lathis and tear gas to disperse protesters on Monday, leaving several students injured. Despite the police action, thousands of students from different parts of the country returned to Jantar Mantar the following day, vowing to continue their sit-in protest.