What the Supreme Court told Delhi Police about the CJP protest FIRs

Delhi Police's Crime Branch has begun a probe into the violence at the July 20 Cockroach Janta Party march to Parliament, examining whether it was premeditated and using facial recognition to identify 2,873 suspects with criminal backgrounds, according to police sources.

The Supreme Court ordered that no coercive action be taken against student protesters over the FIRs.

It ordered the immediate release of detained minors with no prior criminal record.

Following those directions, Delhi Police cancelled 17 FIRs.

The Crime Branch’s new probe is into the violence that occurred during the march.

It is examining whether criminal elements were involved.

Several FIRs were filed at the Parliament Street and Connaught Place police stations, according to The Week.

The probe will examine whether the violence was premeditated or whether criminal elements infiltrated the march after the CJP called for it.

Police are also checking whether WhatsApp or Telegram groups were used to mobilise people, according to The Week.

The alleged offences include assaults on police personnel, vandalism and damage to public property, including police vehicles.

They also include obstructing government employees and snatching police equipment such as jackets and helmets.

Police used facial recognition data to identify 2,873 suspects with criminal backgrounds, according to the police sources quoted.

The reports do not say how many of those suspects were involved in specific acts, and they do not say how many have been arrested or charged.

A criminal background does not by itself show that a person took part in the violence, and individual roles are still being examined.

Investigators have reviewed more than 250 videos, including mobile phone recordings, CCTV, drone visuals and police body-worn camera footage, according to The Week.

The July 20 Sansad Chalo march demanded the resignation of the then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak.

Security was tightened at Parliament and several entry gates were closed on the day, according to The Daily Jagran.

The Daily Jagran reported that videos showed assaults on women protesters and stone-pelting by protesters.

It also reported that police used lathi charges, water cannons and pellet guns, which caused widespread uproar.

Parliament building, New Delhi (file image), Wikimedia Commons, GODL-India