Investigation – Delhi Police Scrutinises Protest Footage After Jantar Mantar Violence
Investigation –Delhi Police has intensified its investigation into the violence that followed the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in the national capital by analysing surveillance footage and matching the identities of participants with its existing criminal database. The exercise is aimed at determining whether individuals with previous criminal records played any role in the unrest that unfolded during the march towards Parliament.
Extensive Review of Digital Evidence
Delhi Police officials said investigators examined nearly 100 CCTV recordings equipped with facial recognition technology along with numerous social media videos collected from the protest site at Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas. By comparing the captured images with police databases, authorities claim to have identified 2,873 individuals who attended the demonstration.
According to officials familiar with the investigation, 989 of those identified were found to have previous criminal records involving serious offences. The verification process relied on digital records already maintained by Delhi Police and other law enforcement agencies.
Smart Technology Used During Security Operation
Apart from reviewing recorded footage, police personnel were equipped with AI-assisted smart glasses capable of facial recognition, thermal imaging and real-time video analysis during the protest. Authorities said these devices were deployed to assist officers in identifying suspects and tracking individuals whose details already existed in criminal dossiers maintained across different police districts.
Investigators believe the technology has helped speed up the identification process while providing additional evidence for the ongoing inquiry into the clashes.
Serious Criminal Cases Linked to Identified Individuals
Police sources stated that the criminal backgrounds of the identified individuals include a wide range of serious offences. These reportedly cover murder, attempted murder, dacoity, robbery, rape, crimes against women, violations of the Arms Act, kidnapping, snatching and offences registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The analysis indicates that 101 identified individuals had previously been booked in murder cases, while another 62 had faced charges related to attempted murder. Investigators also found that 284 people had earlier been involved in cases of dacoity or robbery.
Records further showed that 61 identified individuals had been named in rape cases, six had been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and 25 had previous cases involving offences against women. In addition, 229 individuals had cases under the Arms Act, 135 had records related to snatching, 19 had kidnapping cases and 67 had previously faced action under the NDPS Act.
Multiple Cases Registered Against Several Individuals
The investigation also revealed that many of those identified have faced repeated criminal proceedings. Of the 101 individuals previously booked in murder cases, 42 reportedly have two or more criminal cases registered against them, while 12 have been named in at least ten separate cases.
Among the 62 people linked to attempted murder cases, 25 were found to have multiple criminal records. Similarly, 155 of the 284 individuals associated with robbery or dacoity had more than one criminal case, including 31 who allegedly face ten or more cases.
Police records also showed that several people named in rape cases, offences against women and NDPS-related cases had multiple criminal cases registered against them.
Investigation Focuses on Individual Roles
Officials clarified that the presence of a previous criminal record alone does not establish involvement in the violence during the protest. Investigators are examining the specific actions of each identified individual to determine whether they directly participated in the clashes or whether the violence was organised through a coordinated network or larger conspiracy.
The Cockroach Janta Party had been holding a 36-day protest at Jantar Mantar over an alleged examination paper leak while demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. During the party’s “Sansad Chalo” march towards Parliament, clashes erupted between protesters, many of them students, and security personnel, resulting in injuries on both sides. The agitation concluded on Saturday following Pradhan’s resignation.