Crime & Law · India
Facial Recognition Flags Incarcerated Individuals at Jantar Mantar Protest
Delhi Police informed the Supreme Court that its facial recognition system identified 2,873 individuals with criminal records at the Jantar Mantar protest site between July 20 and July 26. The police assured the court that no action would be taken without verification. An independent verification revealed that at least 25 individuals on this list, facing serious charges including murder and rape, were incarcerated at the time of the protest. Separately, Swatantra Bhardwaj, described as an 'influencer' and 'Kattar Hindu', was detained in Bulandshahr following allegations of attacking the father of a Dalit activist during a protest. Bhardwaj had reportedly admitted to 'cracking the skull' of the activist's father in a podcast after the incident.
How outlets across the spectrum covered it
- Left (4): National Herald, Satya Hindi, Scroll.in, The Telegraph (India)
- Centre (11): DNA (Daily News & Analysis), Deccan Herald, Mathrubhumi English, Mint, NDTV, Outlook India, Patrika, Telangana Today, The Indian Express, The Print, The Quint
- Right (2): News18 Hindi, The Pioneer