Delhi Police’s ₹15.7 crore tender to install 338 surveillance cameras with facial recognition and monitoring capabilities across parts of the capital has come under scrutiny amid concerns over privacy safeguards and procurement procedures, according to livemint.com. The tender was published shortly after protests at Jantar Mantar, raising questions about its timing and intent.
The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) reviewed the tender documents and highlighted gaps in governance of the facial recognition technology (FRT), including the lack of a standard operating procedure, absence of privacy impact assessments, and unclear rules for retaining sensitive data. Delhi Police officials stated the procurement is part of a modernisation plan initiated about two years ago and unrelated to recent protests, as reported by The Times of India.
The tender’s timing has drawn attention because it was uploaded five days after the NEET paper leak protests ended at Jantar Mantar, which was subsequently de-notified as a designated protest site on 11 October. The surveillance project covers public spaces frequently used for gatherings and demonstrations, such as Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in Shahdara, intensifying concerns over potential monitoring of protests.
The Delhi Police’s plan to deploy 338 cameras under this ₹15.7 crore tender aims to enhance surveillance across key public areas in the capital. The next steps involve finalising procurement and installation, with ongoing debates about privacy and civil liberties continuing to shape public discourse.