NEW DELHI: A high-voltage standoff broke out outside the Delhi Police Headquarters as hundreds of police personnel assembled to protest the transfer of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manasvi Vashistha and Shahdara Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Arun Kumar.
The agitation was triggered by the transfer of both officers following a scuffle between visiting advocates and police personnel at the Shahdara Police Station. The initial transfers had led lawyer associations to call off a strike, but the decision sparked widespread resentment among police ranks.
Demands for SOPs and Reinstatement
Gathering outside the Police Headquarters early in the morning, protesting personnel demanded a direct audience with the Police Commissioner. The cops raised slogans calling for police unity, the establishment of clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to handle altercations involving lawyers, and the immediate revocation of the transfer orders.
"Our demands are clear. We need a proper SOP to deal with such matters so that officers on duty can perform their jobs without undue administrative pressure," stated ACP Manasvi Vashistha during the demonstration.
Departmental Action Follows
Senior officials held discussions to address the grievances and restore order. Following the demonstration, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued orders placing ACP Manasvi Vashistha under suspension pending departmental inquiry.
Police management has assured personnel that a joint coordination and grievance redressal mechanism with bar association representatives is being finalized to prevent similar incidents in the future.
