Delhi Police on Thursday, 23 July 2026 dismissed media reports claiming it had been granted fresh powers under the National Security Act (NSA) specifically to detain protesters demonstrating over exam paper leaks in the national capital, clarifying that the order in question is a routine administrative renewal issued every three months.

What the LG Order Actually Says

The Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi had issued an order on 15 July 2026 under Section 3(3) of the National Security Act, 1980, empowering the Delhi Police Commissioner to exercise NSA powers from 19 July 2026 to 18 October 2026. Under Section 3(2) of the same Act, this authorises the Commissioner to issue preventive detention orders against individuals if deemed necessary in the interest of national security or public order.

Crucially, Delhi Police stated that this is not a new grant of authority. 'The said order is a routine extension/renewal of powers under the NSA, which is issued every three months. The present renewal was issued on 07.07.2026 for the period 19.07.2026 to 18.10.2026, well before the commencement of the CJP protests,' the official statement read.

Delhi Police Pushes Back on Media Framing

An official statement from Delhi Police noted that several media houses had reported that the Commissioner had been granted NSA detention powers specifically to suppress demonstrations led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The force categorically denied this characterisation, stating that no specific request was made in the context of the ongoing agitation and that the renewal predates the protests entirely.

Delhi Police reiterated that the order 'has been interpreted out of context by certain media reports' and that the renewal is a standard administrative exercise carried out periodically.

Violence at the 'Sansad Chalo' March

The clarification comes after Delhi Police faced sharp criticism following the 'Sansad Chalo' march on 20 July 2026, during which protesters were lathi-charged and tear-gassed. The CJP claimed that several participants were badly injured and left bleeding as a result of the security forces' action.

Delhi Police, however, presented a contrasting account, accusing protesters of 'unruly, aggressive and violent behaviour.' The force alleged that personnel were attacked with stones by agitators and that police vehicles were vandalised. According to Delhi Police, 118 police personnel were injured during the clashes, including senior officers.

Context and What It Means

The NSA allows for preventive detention of individuals for up to 12 months without trial, making any expansion — real or perceived — of its use a sensitive political and civil liberties issue. The timing of the LG's renewal order, just days before the 20 July march, was enough to fuel speculation, even though officials insist the two events are unconnected.

This is not the first time questions have been raised about the use of preventive detention laws in the context of public protests in India. Critics argue that the broad scope of the NSA makes it susceptible to misuse, regardless of administrative intent. With the CJP protests over exam paper leaks showing no sign of abating, the legal and political debate around these powers is likely to intensify in the days ahead.