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Updated - October 31, 2026 05:48 am IST - New Delhi

A supporter shout slogans near Central Park during 'Lehra Do Tiranga' protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). File | Photo Credit: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP

Former civil servant Ashish Joshi has approached the Delhi High Court, challenging the alleged large-scale deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in Delhi to handle protests and maintain public order.

In his public interest litigation (PIL), Mr. Joshi seeks judicial scrutiny of the legal and administrative basis for the large-scale deployment and repeated extensions of CAPF companies in Delhi.

Mr Joshi, in a post published on his social media account on ‘X’, said, “The PIL raises critical constitutional questions under Articles 14, 19 and 21 regarding the necessity, proportionality, duration and periodic review of such deployments , especially in the context of peaceful democratic assembly”.

“Reports have indicated that 301 companies were initially approved. 273 companies were extended until 31 October 2026. And further extension of 270 companies until 16 November 2026,” he said.

Among other reliefs, the petition seeks directions to the authorities to disclose the original orders issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), requisitions made by Delhi Police, risk assessments and other records forming the basis of the deployment and its subsequent extensions.

It has also sought a reconciled, force-wise and date-wise breakdown of the companies approved for deployment, their sanctioned strength, the number of personnel mobilised to Delhi, those who actually reported for duty and the number assigned to protest-related duties.

The petition further seeks an assessment of the impact of the deployment on other security responsibilities, including counter-insurgency operations, border security, election preparedness and disaster response.

Mr Joshi has also sought a written protocol governing substantial CAPF deployments for protest-related public order duties.

Published - October 30, 2026 07:37 pm IST

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