The Delhi Police denied using live CCTV surveillance vans equipped with facial recognition technology during the student-led protests at Jantar Mantar in July 2026, according to a Right to Information (RTI) response reviewed by MediaNama. The RTI application was filed by the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) seeking details about the deployment of such surveillance vans and related data handling.
The RTI reply included a standing order dated June 9, 2022, which outlined the use of real-time city-wide CCTV surveillance and a Safe City system with tools for predictive policing. However, the standing order did not mention facial recognition, biometrics, databases, or privacy safeguards. When IFF requested tenders, contracts, and data handling terms for the so-called 'Ikshana' surveillance van, the Delhi Police Special Cell responded that no such vehicle was being used or purchased.
The Integrated Command, Control, Coordination and Communication (C4i) system serves as the command center for the CCTV network, but the RTI response did not clarify what predictive policing tools are employed or the databases accessed. The absence of information on watchlists, match thresholds, data retention, deletion, or audits raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the police’s surveillance practices during public protests.
The RTI documents reviewed by MediaNama highlight gaps in the Delhi Police’s disclosures on surveillance technology use, particularly around facial recognition and data privacy. The standing order and police responses do not provide clarity on the operational details of the CCTV monitoring systems deployed during the July protests.