Delhi Police has launched a comprehensive overhaul of its intelligence-gathering framework following the violence that erupted at Jantar Mantar on 20 July and the large-scale demonstrations that ensued, directing its Special Branch to collect at least 10 key pieces of information before any major planned protest. The move signals a structural shift in how the force prepares for public gatherings in the capital.

What Triggered the Overhaul

On 20 July, an estimated 30,000 protesters converged on Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, attempting to march toward Parliament to demand action on paper leaks and examination-related irregularities. As the situation deteriorated, clashes broke out between protesters and police personnel. The force's use of force drew widespread criticism, prompting an internal review of its intelligence operations.

Officials acknowledged that the police had lacked adequate and accurate prior information about the scale of mobilisation, the number of demonstrators, and the role of various organisations involved — gaps that the new framework is designed to close.

What the New Intelligence Framework Covers

Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar has directed the Intelligence Wing and the Special Branch to move well beyond basic logistics such as protest location and estimated crowd size. Under the revised system, the police will now profile participants, map which states they are travelling from, trace mobilisation networks, and identify key leaders and organisers in advance.

The framework also requires gathering information on where protesters are staying, their local contacts in Delhi, their organisational affiliations, potential sources of protest funding, and logistical arrangements made for the crowd. Notably, particular attention will be paid to protests drawing large numbers of participants from outside Delhi or involving multiple organisations simultaneously.

Wireless Communication Also Upgraded

Alongside the intelligence reforms, Commissioner Anurag Kumar has issued strict instructions to overhaul the wireless communication system used during protests. The wireless network has been thoroughly inspected, and deficiencies identified have been immediately addressed to ensure rapid, real-time information exchange between ground personnel and senior officers during large public events.

What the Police Say

According to sources, the stated purpose of the exercise is not to suppress or prevent protests, but to better assess the law and order situation during large public gatherings. Officials maintain that richer intelligence inputs will allow the force to calibrate its response more accurately and avoid the kind of unpreparedness that characterised the 20 July incident.

What Happens Next

The revised intelligence protocols are expected to be applied to all upcoming major demonstrations in the capital. Civil liberties groups are likely to scrutinise the profiling component closely, particularly the collection of data on funding sources, organisational links, and inter-state mobilisation — details that critics argue could chill legitimate protest activity. How the police balance operational preparedness with constitutional rights to assembly will be the defining test of this new framework.