Centre Grants Delhi Police Chief Preventive Detention Powers Under National Security Act

New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has authorised Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar to exercise powers of preventive detention under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980. 

The order grants the city's top officer the authority to detain individuals without formal charges for a specified period to maintain law and order and safeguard national security.

According to the official notification issued under sub-section (3) of Section 3 of the NSA, the police commissioner will hold these emergency detention powers for a three-month duration, effective from July 19 to October 18.

Under the stringent provisions of the National Security Act, law enforcement authorities can order preventive detention if an individual is deemed to be acting in a manner prejudicial to the defence of the country, India's foreign relations, the security of the state, or the maintenance of public order and essential community services.

Unlike conventional arrests governed by the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which mandate that an accused be brought before a magistrate within 24 hours and guarantee immediate access to legal counsel, detention under the NSA operates under a distinct legal framework.

A person detained under the Act can be in custody without formal criminal charges for an initial period of up to 12 days,  extended to a maximum of 12 months upon review and approval by an independent Advisory Board.

Delhi Police officials routinely maintain that such notifications are administrative and are issued periodically by the government to ensure seamless coordination and rapid security response in the national capital.

Authorising the police chief under the NSA allows security agencies to act swiftly against potential threats, anti-social elements, or disruptions during high-security periods, including national holidays and major legislative sessions.

With the three-month authorisation now active through mid-October, the capital's law enforcement apparatus stands equipped with enhanced statutory powers to address internal security and public order challenges across the national capital territory.

Delhi police issued a statement stating, "It has been reported by several media houses that, to quell the CJP protests, the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, has been granted powers of detention under the National Security Act (NSA)."

They further stated, "In this regard, it is clarified that the said order is a routine extension/renewal of powers under the NSA, which is issued every three months. The present renewal was issued on 07.07.2026 for the period 19.07.2026 to 18.10.2026, well before the commencement of the CJP protests."

"It is further clarified that no specific request was made in the present context. The renewal is a routine administrative exercise and has been interpreted out of context by certain media reports, " stated further.