New Delhi, 28 July (H.S.):

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the use of facial recognition technology and biometric surveillance during peaceful protests. The plea has been filed by CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP A.A. Rahim.

The petition, filed through advocate Subhash Chandran K.R., contends that the use of facial recognition technology and biometric surveillance during peaceful demonstrations is unconstitutional. It has urged that such technologies should not be permitted unless Parliament enacts a specific law governing their use.

The plea states that there is no legal framework authorising the method adopted by the Delhi Police to monitor protesters at Jantar Mantar. It argues that neither the Delhi Police Standing Orders nor the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act permits biometric surveillance.

The petition further alleges that the Delhi Police is using automated technology to identify protesters through biometric data and link their details with the National Crime Records database. It claims that through this process, the police are continuously monitoring protesters, journalists, and ordinary citizens.

The plea also states that, in a response obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Delhi Police itself had clarified that facial recognition technology is used for identifying missing persons or deceased individuals. The petition has referred to the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in the K.S. Puttaswamy vs Union of India case on the right to privacy and questioned the decision of the Delhi Police to use such technology during protests.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar