Archive · 28 Jul 2026
CPI(M) MP Challenges Delhi Police's Facial Recognition Use
A politician named A.A. Rahim has gone to the Supreme Court to challenge the Delhi Police's use of facial recognition technology during protests at Jantar Mantar.
He argues that the police used this technology without proper legal backing, which violates people's rights to privacy and peaceful assembly.
The police used various tools like smart glasses, fingerprint scanners, and drones to monitor protesters.
Rahim wants the court to stop the police from using this technology until there are proper laws regulating it.
He also wants the police and private companies involved to delete any biometric data collected during the protests.
CPI(M) MP A.A. Rahim filed a PIL in the Supreme Court challenging Delhi Police's use of facial recognition technology during Jantar Mantar protests.
The petition alleges violation of fundamental rights to privacy, free speech, and peaceful assembly guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution.
Delhi Police used various surveillance technologies, including facial recognition systems, AI-enabled smart glasses, and fingerprint identification tools, without statutory backing.
The petition seeks immediate relief, including a declaration that the surveillance is unconstitutional and directions to stop using facial recognition technology at peaceful protests.
The plea also raises concerns over the role of private technology companies in the surveillance exercise and seeks the deletion of biometric data collected during the protests.
- Who
- CPI(M) MP A.A. Rahim
- What
- Filed a PIL challenging Delhi Police's use of facial recognition technology during protests
- When
- July 29, 2026
- Where
- Supreme Court of India
- Why
- Alleged violation of fundamental rights to privacy, free speech, and peaceful assembly
Privacy Advocates
Delhi Police
Legality of Surveillance
Privacy Advocates
The use of facial recognition technology without statutory backing violates fundamental rights to privacy and peaceful assembly.
Delhi Police
Videography and surveillance are routine measures to maintain law and order.
Transparency and Accountability
Privacy Advocates
The Delhi Police failed to disclose the purpose, retention period, and safeguards for the collected biometric data.
Delhi Police
The Delhi Police maintains that the technology is intended for tracing missing persons and identifying the deceased.
- Petitioner
- A.A. Rahim, CPI(M) MP and Rajya Sabha MP
- Date Filed
- July 29, 2026
- Protest Location
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Protest Organizers
- Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)
- Technologies Used
- Facial recognition systems, AI-enabled smart glasses, fingerprint identification tools, CCTV cameras, drones, Mobile Command and Control Vehicle
- Private Companies Involved
- Aditya Infotech Ltd (Ikshana vehicle), Dimension NXG Pvt. Ltd. (AjnaLens smart spectacles)
- Relief Sought
- Declaration of surveillance as unconstitutional, stop use of FRT, disclosure of technologies and databases, deletion of biometric data, and restraint on private companies