Police Deploy Facial Recognition System at Jantar Mantar Protest Site to Identify Wanted Criminals

New Delhi, Jul 24 : Four facial recognition system (FRS) units have been installed around the protest site at Jantar Mantar to identify wanted criminals, absconders and historysheeters, police sources said on Friday. The surveillance system is not for ordinary protesters but is meant to identify those with criminal antecedents who may try to “infiltrate the protest” and disturb law and order, they said. The FRS units have been positioned at key entry and exit points around the protest venue and are directly linked to the Delhi Police database. The system will be monitored in real time by the officers, enabling them to instantly verify the identity of any wanted criminal, bad character or a historysheeter, the sources said. “The objective is to ensure that people with criminal backgrounds do not exploit the protest to create law and order issues. The system is connected with the Delhi Police database and can identify wanted criminals, absconders, historysheeters and Bad Characters (BCs) whose details already exist in police records,” said the police source. According to the officer, the FRS does not target ordinary protesters but is meant to identify those with criminal antecedents who may attempt to take advantage of large gatherings. “These are high-resolution cameras capable of capturing facial images even from a distance. Once a face is captured, it is quickly matched with the police database. If a wanted or absconding accused is detected, the concerned police unit is immediately alerted and legal action can be initiated without delay,” he said. Police said the technology will also help identify habitual offenders who have repeatedly figured in criminal cases and are listed as “bad characters” in Delhi Police records. “The deployment acts as both a preventive and investigative tool. It helps us remain alert against anti-social elements who may try to infiltrate the protest and create nuisance or disturb law and order,” another officer said. The installation of the FRS forms part of enhanced security arrangements around Jantar Mantar.