Decoding police powers, rights of protesters and law on use of force
As a result, several crucial questions relating to the use of force and accountability continue to be resolved on a case-by-case basis.Track live updates of CJP protest hereA right to protest, but not without limitsThe starting point is the Constitution. Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech and expression, while Article 19(1)(b) protects the right to assemble peacefully and without arms. Neither right, however, is absolute.Under Articles 19(2) and 19(3), the State may impose reasonable restrictions in the interests of sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State and public order.It is this constitutional balance that informs India’s public order laws.
- ▪As a result, several crucial questions relating to the use of force and accountability continue to be resolved on a case-by-case basis.Track live updates of CJP protest hereA right to protest, but not without limitsThe starting point is the
- ▪Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech and expression, while Article 19(1)(b) protects the right to assemble peacefully and without arms.
- ▪Neither right, however, is absolute.Under Articles 19(2) and 19(3), the State may impose reasonable restrictions in the interests of sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State and public order.It is this constitutional balanc
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HomeNextDecoding police powers, rights of protesters and law on use of forceNeither the BNSS nor the BNS contains any provision mandating body-worn cameras or compulsory videography of crowd-control operations.Updated on: Jul 24, 2026, 06:46:25 ISTBy Utkarsh AnandPrefer HTon GoogleShare viaCopy link Allegations of police brutality during the recent Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests in Delhi have once again brought into focus a recurring constitutional and legal question: How much force can the police legally use to disperse a protest?Although Parliament has never enacted a comprehensive statutory framework governing police use of force during protests, constitutional courts have gradually evolved one through precedent.
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