Delhi cops deny excessive force during CJP protest; cites 30,000 crowd, violence

In an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, Delhi Police said the scale of the crowd during the Jantar Mantar CJP agitation and the violence that followed the breaching of barricades necessitated the use of graded force.Delhi Police have denied using excessive force during the CJP-led July 20 Jantar Mantar agitation. (Photo: Reuters)The Delhi Police has denied allegations of excessive force against student protesters during the July 20 Jantar Mantar agitation led by the Cockroach Janta Party against the NEET paper leak, citing the presence of more than 30,000 protesters at the demonstration. In an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, the police said the scale of the crowd and the violence that followed the breaching of barricades necessitated the use of graded force.The affidavit was filed as a common reply in four connected petitions seeking a Supreme Court-monitored probe into alleged police excesses during the protest.The Delhi Police said that the protesters had gathered across a stretch of around 3 kilometres, while about 5,000 police personnel were deployed to manage the situation.According to the police, the demonstration was initially peaceful, but the situation changed after protesters breached barricades and the crowd became difficult to control. The force used by personnel was "graded" and, according to the police, proportionate to the circumstances on the ground.- EndsPublished On: Aug 18, 2026 10:55 IST