Delhi Police ACP Manasvi Vashishtha suspended after leading protest
The Union Home Ministry ordered the suspension of the officer following a demonstration by police personnel against recent transfers.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manasvi Vashishtha was suspended on Tuesday after leading a protest by police personnel outside the Delhi Police Headquarters. According to reports from India TV, The Hindu and The Indian Express, the suspension follows a demonstration against the transfer of Vashishtha and former Shahdara Station House Officer (SHO) Arun Kumar.
The protest, which involved between 100 and 500 personnel, occurred after the two officers were transferred following a confrontation between lawyers and police at Shahdara police station on October 23. During that incident, an advocate allegedly sustained a head injury, leading lawyers to launch an indefinite strike.
The protesting personnel demanded the reinstatement of Vashishtha and Inspector Arun Kumar. They also called for a clear Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to handle confrontations between police and lawyers, and requested that no disciplinary action be taken against those participating in the demonstration.
The Hindu reported that the Union Home Ministry's suspension order, issued by Under Secretary Rakesh Kumar Singh, noted that departmental proceedings against Vashishtha, a 2019-batch DANIPS officer, were contemplated. Vashishtha stated in a video message that he had faith in the system and expected a fair inquiry.
Meanwhile, advocate Karan Bir Singh has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Delhi High Court. The plea names the Union of India, Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, Vashishtha, and Sub-Inspector Vishal Yadav as respondents, seeking an independent probe into allegations of criminal intimidation and derogatory remarks made by police personnel.