Delhi Police Protest: ACP Manasvi Vashishta Suspended After Leading Demonstration Outside Police Headquarters

ACP Manasvi Vashistha Suspended After Delhi Police Personnel’s Protest at Headquarters

Delhi Police has suspended ACP Manasvi Vashistha, a day after he led a protest by police personnel outside the force’s headquarters. The action was reportedly taken over allegations that he violated regulations and raised slogans against senior officers during the demonstration.

The protest took place on Monday when several police personnel, including Vashistha, assembled outside the headquarters seeking an appointment with Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar. Vashistha had recently been transferred following tensions between police officers and lawyers in the Shahdara area.

The protesting personnel expressed dissatisfaction over the handling of the dispute and demanded intervention from the police leadership.

How the Dispute Between Police and Lawyers Began

The controversy started after lawyers in Shahdara organised a large protest, accusing ACP Vashistha of threatening members of the legal community. They alleged that established procedures had not been followed while dealing with an assault case involving a lawyer.

The complaints prompted the authorities to transfer Vashistha and another officer, Arun Kumar, in an attempt to ease tensions and maintain law and order in the eastern parts of Delhi.

The situation became more serious after lawyers alleged that Vashistha had behaved inappropriately with them and displayed his revolver while threatening them.

Police officials presented a different account, alleging that around 15 to 20 lawyers created a disturbance inside the SHO’s office, misbehaved with police personnel and disrupted official work.

What Did the Protesters Demand?

During Monday’s demonstration, police personnel accused lawyers of interfering with investigations and creating disturbances in police stations. They demanded an opportunity to meet Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and sought clear instructions on how officers should handle such confrontations.

The protesters also raised concerns about their own safety, arguing that police personnel needed institutional protection while performing their duties.

Speaking during the demonstration, Vashistha said the officers wanted a meeting with the commissioner and called for a standard operating procedure (SOP) to address such situations. He questioned how police personnel could protect the public if they themselves felt unable to defend their position.

According to reports by Jagran.com, police personnel from different districts continued arriving at the headquarters as the protest gathered momentum. Several officers reportedly voiced their anger over the confrontation with lawyers, while a significant number of women police personnel also joined the demonstration.

The protest brought internal concerns within the police force into the open, with officers seeking clearer guidelines and support from senior leadership in disputes involving members of the legal community.