Notification to exercise NSA for 3 months routine, not linked to protest: Delhi Police

Delhi Police on social media claim their routine quarterly renewal of powers under the National Security Act (NSA) has been falsely linked to the ongoing Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protests.

The clarification comes after a Delhi gazette notification issued on July 15, by the Lt Governor of Delhi's office granting the Commissioner of Police, Delhi to exercise the powers of detaining authority under the NSA for a period of three months, from July 19 to October 18, 2026.

The Delhi Police claimed that the current renewal order was issued on July 7 for the period of July 19 to October 18 this year. The officials claim these decisions were taken well before the commencement of the CJP protest. No special request or order was initiated in connection with the recent events.

The Delhi Police claimed that the renewal predates the protests and is part of standard administrative process and should not be construed as being linked to the ongoing protest. "The claims circulating on social media are misleading and are based on a misinterpretation of the routine renewal order," their clarification on X read.

The first physical offline street protest of the CJP began on June 6, while the copy of the gazette denotes the date of release of the notification as July 15th. The clarification issued by the Delhi police however says the notification extending their powers was released on July 7. 

The Delhi police said over X that citizens are advised to reply only on official information and avoid sharing misinformation.

Speaking to The Pioneer, Umesh Chandra PVG, a practicing High Court lawyer with the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh High Court explained that this is a routine exercise but added that those detained under the Act can seek legal remedy, "Once an order is passed against you, you'll be given the order within a minimum of five and a maximum of fifteen days. You can raise a grievance, and an advisory committee is appointed to examine the veracity of the order. You can appear before the committee yourself and explain why the order is wrongly invoked against you by referring to Article 22(3) of the Constitution. If the committee finds it fit, the order can be revoked,"

Meanwhile the former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, July 23 shared a circular from the New Delhi Traders Association urging shops and establishments including offices and restaurants at Connaught Place to close for Thursday, July 23 by 6:30 PM.

The AAP leader wrote saying, "Orders to close all shops at Connaught Place by 6:30 PM this evening. Heavy security. Loads of ambulances. Will the Modi government once again brutally attack its own children at Jantar Mantar today?"

In the morning, PM had assured establishment of fast track courts for paper leak issues. The CJP had replied saying they won’t back down until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.