Delhi Police Dismiss Claims That Boys Were Detained for Carrying Food to Jantar Mantar as Misleading

The Delhi Police on Friday dismissed allegations that three young boys were detained for transporting food to demonstrators at Jantar Mantar, calling the claim false, baseless, and misleading. The clarification followed a social media post by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das, who alleged that the boys had been taken to Nizamuddin Police Station while delivering food to protesters participating in the ongoing demonstration over the NEET paper leak controversy. The protest is also demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Responding to the allegations, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East) Ravi Kumar Singh stated on X that the claims misrepresented what had actually occurred. According to the police, officers stationed at a routine checkpost had stopped a vehicle only to carry out standard identity verification and confirm the occupants travel details. During the verification process, the driver reportedly left the location with the vehicle and its belongings.

Police said the occupants later informed officers that the food items were intended for protesters at Jantar Mantar. They also explained that the driver had been arranged through a friend and was not personally known to them. Officials added that, until the driver left the spot, the police personnel were unaware that the food was meant for the protest site.

The department stressed that the officers were simply performing routine security checks in accordance with standard procedures and had not prevented anyone from transporting food. Calling the allegations malicious and without merit, Delhi Police said the claims appeared to be an attempt to portray a routine verification exercise as an act of unlawful detention.

Saurav Das had accused the police of detaining the three boys and alleged that several youngsters were being stopped without justification. He also claimed that parts of central Delhi had been heavily restricted and criticized the police action in a post on X. Separately, the DCP of New Delhi also issued a clarification regarding another viral social media claim, stating that reports suggesting the passports of CJP protesters would be cancelled were incorrect and had no factual basis.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.