New Delhi: The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi has extended the tenure of special powers granted to the Delhi Police under the National Security Act (NSA) until October 18. Under this law, the police can directly detain a suspect without producing them before a court. Following this decision by the Delhi administration, speculation intensified on social media that this extension of NSA powers was made due to the protests by the 'Cockroach Janata Party'.
Amidst these viral posts, the Delhi Police issued a statement clarifying that this decision has no connection to the 'Cockroach Janata Party' protests. According to the Delhi Police, the special powers granted under the NSA are extended regularly every three months. Approval for this extension was granted on July 7; it comes into effect on July 19 and remains valid until October 18. Therefore, linking it to the current protests is entirely incorrect.
Under the National Security Act (NSA), the government or police can detain an individual for a period ranging from 3 to 12 months if they are deemed a threat to the country's peace, law and order, or national security. This form of detention differs from a standard judicial arrest. Consequently, linking this routine extension to ongoing protests could spark unnecessary controversy.
It is noteworthy that the 'Cockroach Janata Party' has been staging a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar since June 20 regarding the NEET paper leak issue, demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister. Violence erupted during their peaceful 'Parliament March' last Monday, resulting in injuries to several police personnel and protesters. Meanwhile, the 'Cockroach Janata Party' has appealed to students across the country to join the protest on Friday.