New Delhi, Oct 8: The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police has registered a fresh First Information Report (FIR) to investigate the alleged larger conspiracy behind the violence during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest in the national capital on July 20, according to police sources.
The investigation will focus on identifying the alleged instigators, examining whether the violence was premeditated and establishing the sequence of events that led to clashes between protesters and security personnel.
The development comes ahead of another protest announced by the CJP at Jantar Mantar on October 10. The party plans to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. However, a police officer said permission had not been granted for the proposed protest as of October 8.
Delhi Police to Investigate Alleged Larger Conspiracy
According to police sources, the Crime Branch will investigate whether the July 20 violence was part of a larger conspiracy and whether individuals with criminal backgrounds entered the protest site after the CJP called for a march towards Parliament.
Investigators will reconstruct the sequence of events, examine the roles of people present at the protest and analyse messages allegedly exchanged before and during the unrest.
The fresh FIR has reportedly been registered under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to criminal conspiracy, common intention, assault on public servants, vandalism and rioting.
Police will also examine whether the alleged instigators encouraged others to participate in the protest and whether those individuals were directly involved in the violence.
Officials said the investigation aims to establish individual responsibility and determine the circumstances that led to the clashes.
Supreme Court Order and Fresh FIR
The latest FIR follows an earlier legal development involving cases registered against protesters who participated in the CJP-led agitation.
Acting on the directions of the Supreme Court, Delhi Police had cancelled 17 FIRs registered at different police stations in the New Delhi district against students who took part in the protests.
However, following a request from the Centre, the Supreme Court permitted the police to register fresh FIRs against 2,873 individuals described as having serious criminal antecedents who were present at the Jantar Mantar protest.
Police sources said the Crime Branch would examine the role of these individuals as part of the current investigation.
The police also stated that they had identified the individuals through a Facial Recognition System (FRS). However, officials acknowledged that the system’s accuracy was approximately 50 per cent, raising questions about the reliability of identification based on the technology alone.
Injuries and Property Damage During July 20 Protest
The July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ march in Delhi witnessed clashes between protesters and security personnel as demonstrators attempted to move towards Parliament.
Police used lathis and tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Several police personnel and student protesters were reportedly injured during the confrontation.
The violence also involved alleged assaults on police personnel, damage to police vehicles and vandalism of public property. Government buildings were reportedly defaced during the unrest.
Police sources said the authorities had taken note of these incidents and that they would form part of the investigation.
Meanwhile, protesters alleged that the police had used excessive force against them during the demonstration.
The Crime Branch will examine the available evidence to establish how the violence unfolded and determine the roles of those involved.
October 10 CJP Protest and Police Permission
The fresh investigation comes two days before the next protest announced by the CJP at Jantar Mantar.
The party plans to demonstrate against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
However, a Delhi Police officer said permission had not been granted for the October 10 demonstration as of Thursday.
The proposed protest could bring renewed attention to the political dispute surrounding the SIR exercise, electoral roll revision and the demands raised by opposition groups.
Background: CJP-Led Agitation and Its Demands
The CJP-led protests began at Jantar Mantar on June 20 and spread to several cities. The agitation centred on demands for the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The movement intensified on July 20 when protesters called for a march towards Parliament. Clashes between demonstrators and security personnel followed, resulting in injuries and reported damage to public property.
The agitation was called off on July 25 after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned and the government accepted the CJP’s other demands, according to the report.
With the registration of the fresh FIR, the Delhi Police Crime Branch will now investigate the alleged conspiracy behind the July 20 violence, identify those suspected of instigating the clashes and establish individual responsibility based on the available evidence.
