In a significant move, the Centre has authorised Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar to exercise preventive detention powers under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, as protests continue across the national capital, including at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The NSA allows authorities to detain individuals preventively for a period ranging from 12 days to a maximum of 12 months, subject to the provisions and review mechanisms laid down under the Act.
Under the new order, Kumar has been empowered to exercise preventive detention powers for a period of three months, from July 19 to October 18. Although the notification is dated July 15, 2026, it was published in the Delhi Gazette on Wednesday, The Telegraph reported.
“Exercising powers under Section 3(3) read with Section 2(e) of the NSA, the Delhi L-G has directed that during the specified period, the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, may also exercise the powers of a detaining authority under Section 3(2) of the Act,” the order states.
According to the notification, the Delhi Police Commissioner is now empowered to issue preventive detention orders against individuals whose activities are deemed prejudicial to national security.
The move is likely to heighten concerns among protesters, who have already accused the police of using excessive force against demonstrators.
Hundreds of students have been protesting at Jantar Mantar since July 20, when police stopped a "Sansad Chalo" march and used batons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators. Several protesters and police personnel were injured during the clashes.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and other competitive entrance tests. They have also sought the immediate release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28, and Rs 1 crore in compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide.
