Several Delhi Police personnel gathered outside the Police Headquarters in Delhi on Monday, seeking the withdrawal of transfer orders issued against ACP Manasvi Vashistha and Shahdara SHO Inspector Arun Kumar.
Around 80-100 personnel were seen near Gate No. 1 of the headquarters. They wanted to meet senior officers and raise their concerns over the transfer of the two officers, which came after a dispute at Shahdara police station involving lawyers and police personnel.
The transfers were ordered on October 28, five days after a scuffle at the Shahdara police station on October 23. An advocate allegedly suffered a head injury during the incident.
The incident led lawyers from Delhi’s district courts to begin an indefinite strike, demanding action
against those accused of assaulting the advocate.
According to the lawyers, they had initially been assured that the accused would be arrested. However, they claimed that they were informed the following day that the accused had been released without any action being taken against them.
The lawyers also alleged that during a subsequent meeting with senior police officers, one of the officers displayed a loaded revolver and threatened them. Police officials have rejected the allegation, saying there was no evidence to substantiate the claim.
Delhi: Visuals from outside Gate No. 1 of Delhi Police Headquarters (PHQ), where police personnel have gathered to discuss the recent transfers of ACP Manasvi Vashistha and SHO Arun Kumar with the Police Commissioner inside the headquarters. They have been asked not to stage a protest on the road following the Shahdara police station incident
— IANS (@ians_india) November 2, 2026
The dispute eventually led to action against the two police officers. ACP Manasvi Vashistha, who was posted as SDPO in Gandhi Nagar, was transferred to the Special Police Unit for Women and Children. Inspector Arun Kumar was moved from Shahdara police station to the Security unit of Delhi Police.
Following the transfer orders, the lawyers’ coordination committee called off its strike on October 28.
The transfers, however, did not end the controversy. Several police personnel later gathered at the Police Headquarters, seeking the reinstatement of the two officers.
Senior officers asked the personnel not to stage a protest on the road outside the headquarters. They were instead allowed to raise their concerns with senior officials inside the premises.
DCP (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma also addressed the gathering and urged the personnel to maintain discipline. The police personnel sought a meeting with the Police Commissioner to discuss the transfers.
The developments have brought renewed attention to the October 23 incident at Shahdara police station. While lawyers have raised allegations against the police officers, senior officials have disputed some of the claims. The allegations surrounding the incident, including the claim about the revolver, remain subject to investigation.
