Lawyers vs Delhi Police: Why ACP Manasvi Vashishta was suspended amid raging protests
The suspension and protests stem from previous transfers of ACP Vashishta and SHO Arun Kumar due to a violent clash with lawyers at Shahdara Police Station
Delhi Police Assistant Commissioner of Police Manasvi Vashishta has been suspended following a protest outside the police headquarters over the transfer of police officers involved in a violent clash with lawyers at the Shahdara Police Station. The original altercation on October 23 led to severe injuries, allegations of police high-handedness, and an indefinite strike by city lawyers across district courts. Although senior authorities initially transferred ACP Vashishta and SHO Arun Kumar to de-escalate tensions with the Bar Council, the subsequent police protest resulted in Vashishta's suspension as officers demanded a meeting with the police commissioner and clearer operating procedures.
Delhi Police Assistant Commissioner of Police Manasvi Vashishta has been suspended following a protest outside the police headquarters over the transfer of police officers involved in a violent clash with lawyers at the Shahdara Police Station. The original altercation on October 23 led to severe injuries, allegations of police high-handedness, and an indefinite strike by city lawyers across district courts. Although senior authorities initially transferred ACP Vashishta and SHO Arun Kumar to de-escalate tensions with the Bar Council, the subsequent police protest resulted in Vashishta's suspension as officers demanded a meeting with the police commissioner and clearer operating procedures.
Delhi Police Assistant Commissioner of Police Manasvi Vashishta has been suspended following a protest outside the police headquarters over the transfer of police officers involved in a violent clash with lawyers at the Shahdara Police Station. The original altercation on October 23 led to severe injuries, allegations of police high-handedness, and an indefinite strike by city lawyers across district courts. Although senior authorities initially transferred ACP Vashishta and SHO Arun Kumar to de-escalate tensions with the Bar Council, the subsequent police protest resulted in Vashishta's suspension as officers demanded a meeting with the police commissioner and clearer operating procedures.
Delhi Police Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manasvi Vashishta, who led the protest outside Delhi Police headquarters on Monday, has been suspended.
The suspension comes amid controversy over the protest, in which police personnel gathered outside the headquarters seeking revocation of transfer orders for two police officers.
The action against the ACP was taken in connection with the incident.
The transfer of ACP Vashishta and Shahdara Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Arun Kumar stems from a violent clash between police personnel and lawyers at the Shahdara Police Station.
A scuffle broke out inside the Shahdara Police Station on October 23 after lawyers arrived to demand action in an assault case involving an advocate. During the altercation, a lawyer sustained a severe head injury.
Members of the bar associations alleged that the ACP and the SHO threatened the visiting advocates, who had gone to the police station to seek action against the accused in the Bansal assault case. The lawyers claimed ACP Vashistha brandished a weapon, leading to allegations of police high-handedness.
Following the incident, city lawyers launched an indefinite strike across district courts, refusing to resume work until action was taken against the involved officers.
To de-escalate tensions and reach a resolution with the Bar Council of Delhi, senior authorities transferred ACP Vashistha and Inspector Arun Kumar out of their postings.
While leading the protest on Monday, Vashistha said that they wanted to meet the police commissioner. "Our demands are clear. We need to meet CP sir. There needs to be an SOP to deal with such matters. If this happens, how will we fight to save the people of the city?" he said.