Protest venue under a web of cameras and facial recognition systems

Mobile Command and Control and Ikshana Vehicle (AI-powered mobile surveillance van) during the Cockroach Janta Party Protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 24, 2026. | Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma As the crowd continues to swell at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi Police have deployed powerful cameras and at least three mobile surveillance vans around the venue. The devices continuously capture live images and run them past a police database to identify and isolate people with criminal records. Also read: Jantar Mantar protest updates on July 24On Thursday (July 23, 2026) night, additional CCTV cameras were installed around Jantar Mantar and the images were played on screens inside a mobile police control room.The protesters have expressed apprehension over the use of such technology. “It is quite scary as we have not informed our parents about coming to the protest,” said Anushka, a first-year Delhi University student who was at the site for the first time on Friday (July 24). “We have been using masks to cover our faces, but it may not work against surveillance mechanisms of the Delhi Police. It is highly unethical of them to use it without our consent even if it is for surveillance of criminals,” she added.Another participant said surveillance has been under way since the first day of the protest. “Drones, videographers, CCTVs have been capturing visuals of the protest. The police say it is to track criminals but what is the intent behind this usage? Also, how can AI cameras determine the intent of the person at the protest?” asked Anuj Sharma from Dehradun, adding that it does not scare him.The Delhi Police have deployed its DP-Dristhi and Ikshana surveillance vans and a Mobile Command and Control Vehicle, which uses AI-assisted facial recognition technology to scan live CCTV feeds. The police say the technology is used to identify known offenders and investigate violence, while protesters say it has created fear among them about police surveillance and misuse of footage.The Delhi Police have also been capturing video footage of the protests through videographers on the ground and AI-enabled cameras used by police officials.The Drishti van was launched in February for surveillance of offenders and criminals in high-footfall areas. The other two vans, the Command and Control Vehicle and Ikshana, were also used by the police during the 2023 G-20 Summit. They are equipped with multiple cameras providing a 360-degree view and are operated by trained CCTV personnel. The Mobile Command and Control Vehicle is used to monitor live CCTV feeds and coordinate police operations on the ground.Videographers on groundRavi (name changed), a professional photographer hired by the police, said that the videos and images 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 taking place at the protest site, especially if there are any violent incidents in the protest,” he said.Another person who was handling a drone outside the entry gate said he was hired on Friday. Carrying a pink slip with ‘drone operator’ written on it, he said he was a professional photographer from Yamuna Vihar and was called to provide visuals of the protest.As per the protesters, the 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 the continuous monitoring of the protest through videography.Some attendees also said there must be ways to counter these measures to protect their identities. “In Hong Kong, protesters have used measures such as wearing masks, using cash to make payments, and removing phone biometrics, including fingerprint and face locks. These aspects must be communicated to the people,” said Paul, a security consultant who was among those at the protest site.The 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”. The communication from the police said that the FRS cameras have been used earlier as well during major events in Delhi, including Republic Day and Independence Day as well as during festivals. “It is completely false to claim that these cameras have been installed around Jantar Mantar in New Delhi district with the intention of spying on the Jantar Mantar protesters. Delhi Police and Central agencies have received inputs that cross-border terrorist organisations are also monitoring the student protests and conspiring to disrupt the national atmosphere,” the statement said. Published - July 24, 2026 11:45 pm IST