Delhi ACP Manasvi Vashistha suspended after leading police protest
The Ministry of Home Affairs suspended the officer following a demonstration at Police Headquarters regarding recent transfers.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manasvi Vashistha has been suspended by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) following a protest at the Delhi Police Headquarters. According to The Indian Express, the suspension occurred a day after Vashistha led police personnel in a demonstration against the transfer of himself and Inspector Arun Kumar.
The transfers were issued after a confrontation at the Shahdara police station on October 23, during which an advocate reportedly suffered a serious head injury. While lawyers accused the two officers of misconduct, the transfers prompted discontent among police staff, leading to the gathering at the headquarters.
Vashistha, who was previously posted in Gandhi Nagar, had been moved to the Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC). Inspector Kumar, the Shahdara Station House Officer (SHO), was transferred to the security unit.
During the protest, Vashistha told reporters that the mobilisation was an organic call by personnel and that he had joined them. He stated that a formal application was submitted to seek a platform to present grievances before senior officers.
The demonstration, which The Times of India reported grew to approximately 500 personnel, included demands for a clear standard operating procedure for dealing with lawyers in police stations. Protesters also called for a dedicated cell at the headquarters to address such incidents.
Delhi Police later announced the formation of a joint coordination committee involving bar associations and the Bar Council of Delhi to address issues faced by personnel on duty.