New Delhi: With protests in the national capital intensifying over the alleged NEET question paper leak, the Union government has renewed preventive detention powers under the National Security Act (NSA) for the Delhi Police Commissioner.
According to the order, issued under Section 3 of the NSA, the renewed powers will be in force for three months—from July 19 to October 18. The provision allows preventive detention orders against persons deemed to be acting against national security, public order, or the maintenance of essential supplies and services.
The protests, led by the “Karappanpoochi Janata Party” demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, have drawn support from student groups and other sections. On July 20, protesters allegedly attempted to lay siege to Parliament, leading to clashes with police, baton-charge and tear gas, and multiple arrests.
The report said around 180 people, including police personnel and protesters, were injured in the confrontation. Despite this, the agitation has continued, keeping tensions high in Delhi.
Delhi Police, however, said social media claims linking the renewal specifically to the ongoing protests were misleading. In a statement, police said the NSA powers are renewed every three months as a routine administrative process, and that the current renewal order was issued on July 7—before the protests escalated—urging the public to rely only on official information.
