Delhi Police have said that 2,873 people with criminal antecedents were identified at and around the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest site at Jantar Mantar between July 20 and 25. Officials said they are investigating whether any of them were involved in the violence reported during the demonstrations.
According to police sources, the individuals were identified using the Facial Recognition System (FRS) and other technical surveillance tools. Police said 989 of those identified had previous involvement in serious offences, including murder, sexual assault, kidnapping, robbery, illegal arms cases, narcotics offences and cases registered under the POCSO Act.
Officials said some of the individuals were found to have visited the protest site on multiple occasions. Police sources added that many of those identified were traced to areas including Seelampur, Chand Bagh, Jafrabad, Shaheen Bagh, Jamia Nagar and Okhla in Delhi.
Delhi Police said it is examining whether any of the identified individuals were involved in the violence that occurred during the protests and whether their presence at the site was coordinated. Officials have not alleged any organised criminal involvement so far and said the investigation is ongoing. Delhi Police have not announced any arrests or fresh cases in connection with the latest findings, stating that the investigation is continuing.
118 police personnel injured
Delhi Police reported that over 118 police personnel sustained injuries during the 20 July clashes. Among the injured were senior officers, including the Special Commissioner, Joint Commissioner, Additional Commissioner, DCP, Additional DCP, and ACP-rank officials, as well as several women personnel. Approximately 60 protesters were also said to have been injured in the incident.
The CJP-led protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak were called off after the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Centre has since introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill in Parliament, aimed at strengthening measures against examination malpractice.