Delhi Police has issued body-worn cameras to officers and personnel deployed on the frontline across the New Delhi area, an official source said on October 6. The cameras are meant to record interactions between police personnel and protesters during crowd management.

The bodycams have been issued particularly to personnel deployed around protest sites and on roads leading to the Election Commission of India office. Police said the recordings would provide evidence if allegations are made against officers on duty.

The move comes amid heightened security in New Delhi, Central Delhi and North Delhi following demonstrations against the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in large numbers with multilayer barricades at several points.

The deployment assumes significance after three women journalists complained of alleged sexual harassment and manhandling during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on October 3.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on October 7 refused to direct Delhi Police and the RAF to wear body cameras during protests. Disposing of a PIL, the court asked the government to treat it as a representation and decide within six months.