Explained : Delhi Police’s three-layer operation to remove Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar

Delhi Police on Saturday carried out a pre-planned early morning operation to remove climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar, where he had been protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. However, Delhi Police has been claiming that the climate activist, who has been on hunger strike from the last 20 days, shifted the Safdarjung Hospital, citing his deteriorating health and directions issued by the Delhi High Court.

As per the media reports, the operation was finalised after a high-level strategy meeting held following the appointment of Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar. The officers chose to act at daybreak when the number of protesters at Jantar Mantar was at its lowest. The operation was also reportedly timed during a brief period when Wangchuk’s close aide, Abhijit Dipke, had stepped away from the protest site.

Around 30 to 35 personnel from the New Delhi district’s Special Staff and local police, dressed in plain clothes, entered the barricaded protest area and removed Wangchuk from the protest site. The sources said the operation followed a strict need-to-know protocol, with only a few senior officers aware of the complete plan. Most officers deployed at the site were instructed only to report for duty without being informed of the detailed strategy.

Police sources said personnel surrounded Wangchuk’s bed and shielded it with large white sheets before escorting him away from the protest stage. The arrangement was intended to prevent crowd mobilisation and minimise any commotion during the operation.

According to the sources, the operation was executed in three layers. In the first layer, plainclothes officers secured the stage and removed Wangchuk from the protest site. The second layer comprised Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel, who prevented protesters outside the barricaded area from approaching the stage. Senior Delhi Police officers supervised the operation from a control point near the ambulance and police vehicles, while traffic police ensured a clear route for the ambulance transporting Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital.

Shortly after the operation, Abhijit Dipke returned to the protest site and alleged that Wangchuk had been removed in his absence. The CJP announced that he would continue the agitation by observing an indefinite hunger strike.

Delhi Police maintained that the operation was conducted peacefully and in compliance with the Delhi High Court’s directions regarding Wangchuk’s health. “As per orders of the Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advice due to the deteriorating health condition of Sh. Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care,” the DCP, New Delhi, said in a statement.

Police added that some protesters attempted to obstruct the operation, resulting in a brief commotion, but said officers exercised maximum restraint throughout the exercise. Authorities also appealed to protesters to vacate the Jantar Mantar protest site peacefully.

Who is Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar?

Anurag Kumar, a 1994-batch IPS officer, took charge as Delhi Police Commissioner on Friday, succeeding Satish Golchha. Before his appointment, Kumar served as Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau. He had earlier served in Delhi Police up to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) before spending nearly two decades on deputation with the Intelligence Bureau.