Delhi was privy to unusual scenes on 2 November when over 100 Delhi Police personnel gathered outside the headquarters of their own institution to protest the Delhi Police.

The protests were led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manasvi Vashishta, who was transferred a few days ago after Delhi district courts went on strike. Within hours of Vashishta’s protest at Police Headquarters, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) suspended him. 

On November 3, several lawyers approached the Delhi High Court, asking the Chief Justice to take suo motu cognisance of Vashishta and other police personnel’s alleged threats to lawyers.

While the High Court declined to initiate proceedings on its own, it asked the lawyers to file a plea and assured them that the issue will be “looked into”. 

The allegations and counter-allegations have now evolved into a wider institutional standoff. We take a look at what led to the escalation and what lies ahead.

How the controversy began

According to an Indian Express report, the controversy began with an altercation on October 23 in Northeast Delhi's Rohtash Nagar over a motorcycle parked outside a salon. The dispute escalated into allegations that a group of lawyers returned to the salon, vandalised it and assaulted its owner, Sheetal Thakur, who was eight months pregnant.

The same day, when the two groups went to the police station, a scuffle took place, leading to a head injury to advocate Lalit Bansal.

According to the lawyers, they were assured by the police that action would be taken against the persons accused of assault. However, they allege that the persons were released.

On October 24, a group of lawyers along with Lalit Bansal reached the police station where another confrontation allegedly took place between lawyers and police personnel. 

Lawyers alleged that ACP Vashishta threatened them by brandishing his service revolver when they questioned the police's handling of the matter. They also accused him of failing to act against those allegedly involved in the assault of lawyers, including advocate Lalit Bansal.

Vashishta, however, accused a group of lawyers of entering the police station, abusing and misbehaving with officers and obstructing them from performing their duties. An FIR was also registered against a group of lawyers. The incident triggered protests and an indefinite strike by lawyers across Delhi's district courts.

On October 28, Vashishta and Shahdara Station House Officer (SHO) were transferred. 

Later, several videos surfaced on social media platforms showing a group of lawyers entering a room in which ACP Vashishta and the SHO were sitting. The video shows Vashishta sitting with a gun. After the lawyers enter the room, Vashishta is seen asking one of the juniors to take away the gun he is holding since he had asked for the bigger one. The junior officer takes the gun back. The video then cuts to lawyers shouting at the SHO. One lawyer proceeds to grab the SHO’s arm as well. 

Allegations against ACP Manasvi Vashishta

Lawyers have accused him of threatening them by brandishing his service revolver when they visited Shahdara police station on October 24 to question the police's handling of the assault on advocate Lalit Bansal at Rohtash Nagar.

They alleged that Vashishta and the SHO had assured them that the accused would be arrested but subsequently allowed them to leave. Vashishta, however, accused 15-20 lawyers of entering the police station, abusing police personnel and obstructing official duties. 

Why ACP Manasvi Vashishta and Delhi Police personnel took to the streets

The protest by Delhi Police personnel on November 2 was triggered by the transfer of Vashishta and Shahdara SHO. 

While figures vary, more than 100 police personnel gathered outside Delhi Police Headquarters and alleged that police personnel were being intimidated and subjected to pressure by lawyers while discharging their duties. 

The protesters also demanded action against lawyers accused of misbehaviour and threats against policemen, better security at police stations and court complexes, and a formal mechanism to address their grievances. They eventually submitted five demands. 

What did Vashishta say during the protest that agitated the lawyers

During the November 2 protest outside Delhi Police Headquarters, Vashishta made several remarks allegedly targeting lawyers.

In one video, he can be heard referring to lawyers as “kaale coat wale gunde” (goons in black coats) and “kaale coat ka behroopiya” (impostors in black coats).

He also demanded that at least two companies of police personnel must be stationed in district courts so that police personnel can enter the court with pride and action is taken against any lawyer who misbehaves with them. 

What are the lawyers demanding now

As soon as Vashishta’s remarks went viral, several bar associations in the national capital wrote to the Lieutenant Governor and Delhi Police Commissioner seeking immediate action against him. 

The Rohini Court Bar Association said that it will go on strike until action is taken. However, it withdrew the call for strike after MHA suspended Vashishta. 

The remarks were brought to the Delhi High Court's attention on November 3. A group of lawyers sought suo motu action against the ACP. The lawyer alleged that the comments amounted to threats against the legal fraternity. 

A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma declined to take suo motu cognisance and asked the lawyer to file a formal petition. The Court assured that if the plea is filed, the issue will be looked into. 

A history of confrontations between lawyers and police

Tensions between Delhi Police and lawyers is not new. 

In January 1988, lawyers had protested against the arrest and alleged handcuffing of an advocate in a theft case at St Stephen’s College. 

The protests escalated into a confrontation at Tis Hazari Courts, where a police lathi-charge left several lawyers injured. The lawyers went on strike for two months, demanding the resignation of then DCP Kiran Bedi.

It was called off after the Delhi High Court constituted a committee headed by a sitting judge to investigate the matter. In its report, the committee said that the handcuffing of the lawyer was illegal and recommended Bedi be transferred. 

Another major clash took place on November 2, 2019, at Tis Hazari Courts, following a parking dispute between a lawyer and a police personnel. 

The confrontation escalated into violence with lawyers and police attacking each other in Saket and Karkardooma Courts as well. Several people were injured, and vehicles were set on fire. 

The incident triggered protests by lawyers and a subsequent demonstration by hundreds of Delhi Police personnel outside their headquarters on November 5, 2019.

What lies ahead

While the MHA has suspended Vashishta, the dispute is unlikely to die down soon. Lawyers’ bodies have condemned his remarks, and petitions are likely to be filed before the Delhi High Court. 

Vashishta could also move courts challenging his suspension.