UP Police

Dear Client,

There is no clear legal provision that allows police to indiscriminately collect personal data like photographs of citizens without reasonable suspicion of an offense or a specific legal mandate. Such actions can amount to harassment and an abuse of power. To challenge this, you should first lodge formal complaints with senior police officials SP, DGP Uttar Pradesh, the Uttar Pradesh Police Complaints Authority, and potentially the National/State Human Rights Commission, detailing the incident, date, time, and the officers' remarks.

If these remedies prove ineffective, or to address the systemic issue, you can consider filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court or Supreme Court, through a lawyer specializing in constitutional and human rights law. The PIL would argue that such practices violate fundamental rights and seek directions for their cessation and the establishment of clear police guidelines.

Dear Client,
Taking pictures of someone or noting personal details, or entering private property without a warrant or a valid legal justification, may violate an individual's right to privacy. Even the Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920, prohibits taking photographs by police of any person, except for those who are arrested or convicted. You may escalate your grievance before the Chairperson, the State Human Rights Commission, or the State Police Complaint Authority, which are independent bodies empowered to investigate complaints against police officials. If you feel that such an action on the part of the police affected the larger interest of the common public, then for the protection of a larger interest, you can contact an NGO or social activist or a senior Advocate of the High Court who has a good track record in Public Interest Litigation suits to file a PIL in the High Court seeking appropriate relief in the matter.