A network of lawyers in Delhi has been working around the clock to locate detained protesters, arrange legal help and record complaints of mistreatment against the government, rather than merely reporting that they were mistreated.
The campaign comes as mass arrests have taken place in the capital during protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
In its report today , 2026, Hindustan Times reported how the volunteer network has developed a rapid response system that connects detained protesters with lawyers, especially when people are picked up from locations far away from the main protest site.
The network is also circulating standard operating procedures (SOPs) to inform people about what to do if they are detained and how to report allegations of mistreatment.
Lawyers Establish A Rapid Response Network To Find Detainees
According to Hindustan Times, Delhi-based independent litigator Shobhit Chaudhary helped establish the volunteer network after earlier protests in July. What started as an individual effort grew into a larger network as other independent lawyers joined the initiative.
The network now consists of more than 70 to 80 lawyers across Delhi and the National Capital Region, as well as Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Assam.
It is not a formal organisation but a network built through professional contacts, friends and former classmates. When a detention is reported, messages are sent to lawyers close to the location so they can find the affected person and contact them.
One such alert came at 11 pm on Sunday, when the group received information that around 30 to 40 people were being held in Najafgarh, southwest Delhi. Five or six of them were minors, and some were reportedly injured, the report said.
Yesterday, when thousands were detained across Delhi during the protests against SIR & CEC Gyanesh Kumar, the police DENIED people access to legal counsel. Police was not giving information about the detainees and was not allowing lawyers to interact with them. All this is documented & publicly available - courts need to take suo motu cognisance of these ILLEGAL actions of the police.
— Anjali Bhardwaj (@AnjaliB_) October 11, 2026
The network quickly sent lawyers to the area and coordinated with the police through its point of contact.
As protesters have been detained at various locations across Delhi, including checkpoints, police stations and other holding facilities, the initiative has become increasingly important.
SOPs Explain What Detainees And Witnesses Should Do
The lawyers' group has circulated advice through WhatsApp and Instagram to help protesters respond when they or others are detained.
People who are being detained are instructed to share their location in the protest groups they belong to, along with their name and the number of other people in the vehicle taking them away.
Witnesses are also asked to note the vehicle in which detainees are transported, including its location and the people inside it. This information can help lawyers trace where people are taken and identify those responsible for their custody.
The goal is to locate detainees, establish contact with them and arrange legal assistance without delay.
The network's members have also experienced difficulties accessing people in detention centres. Chaudhary said some lawyers initially faced obstacles while trying to meet people in custody, making it difficult to obtain information about their condition and circumstances.
Lawyers Develop A Protocol To Document Alleged Mistreatment
A key component of the initiative is documenting allegations of mistreatment after detainees are released.
Chaudhary said complaints received by the network concerned people being detained before reaching the protest site or outside areas covered by prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
According to the report, some detainees alleged that they were pushed or injured, while others said they were held for long periods without food. These are allegations reported by detainees and the volunteer network and have not been independently established.
To record complaints, the lawyers have developed a procedure for handling allegations of mistreatment.
According to Chaudhary's procedure, a lawyer present when a detainee is released should arrange for a medico-legal certificate (MLC) if injuries are reported. The lawyer should also submit a written complaint to the station house officer (SHO) and obtain an acknowledgement.
If the SHO refuses to accept the complaint, the lawyer is instructed to photograph it at the police station and email it to the station, copying Delhi Police headquarters.
The objective is to create a record of the complaint and document the steps taken to submit it.
Legal Access Questions Amid Detentions
The volunteer effort comes amid wider concerns about access to legal assistance during detentions.
Hindustan Times also reported that the Supreme Court held a special sitting on Sunday and issued directions concerning peaceful protests, detention procedures, public transport and internet connectivity. The court directed authorities to ensure that peaceful, unarmed protesters were not detained except in accordance with the procedure established by law.
However, the lawyers' network continued to receive calls for help as detentions were reported across the capital.
Other media reports have also documented lawyers' attempts to contact detained protesters. Some lawyers said they faced resistance when trying to gain access to police stations and holding facilities.
These developments have prompted legal professionals to track detainees, document complaints and help people access legal assistance.
Senior lawyers are also involved, and the network is considering legal action while seeking responses from Delhi Police and the Union home ministry. The report said they had not been able to obtain responses by telephone.
Legal Volunteers Seek Accountability Through Documentation
The lawyers' network highlights the importance of legal assistance during large-scale protests and detentions.
By organising volunteers across different locations, exchanging information and maintaining written records, the group is working to ensure that detainees can be traced and complaints of mistreatment are documented.
Medical certificates, written complaints and recorded evidence can help establish a record for any subsequent legal action. This documentation may also help lawyers trace detainees and formally record allegations of mistreatment.
As the situation continues, the network is expected to focus on connecting detainees with lawyers, helping families locate people in custody and ensuring that complaints are handled according to established procedures.
The volunteers' main concern, they say, is that people detained during protests should receive legal assistance and that allegations of unlawful detention or mistreatment should be documented and examined through the appropriate legal process.
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