The Delhi Crime Branch has registered a case into the violence that took place during the July 20 protest of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and started an investigation.
According to crime branch sources, cited by news agency ANI, the investigating team will focus on the role of those involved in violence and specifically examine whether the violence was premeditated or the CJP's march to Parliament was infiltrated by criminal elements.
As part of the probe, the crime branch will look into 2,873 suspects that were identified by the Delhi Police through Facial Recognition System (FRS) data. These suspects have criminal backgrounds, the officials said.
The Delhi Police had already cancelled 17 FIRs against the students and other protesters on the directions of the Supreme Court. Those with criminal backgrounds will face action in the violence case.
The crime branch probe will cover incidents involving attacks on Delhi Police and RAF personnel, vandalism and damage to government properties, including police vehicles. The investigation will examine the circumstances that led to violence, the role of the 2,873 suspects and the events that followed.
Violence at CJP's July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march
On July 20, the CJP had called a protest march to Parliament demanding resignation of the then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over NEET-UG paper leak. In anticipation of a large number of protesters, security arrangements at Parliament were intensified, with several entry gates to the premises closed.
During the march, clashes broke out between protesters and the police, with videos showing assault on female protesters and stone pelting by protesters. The police used lathi charges, water cannons, and even pellet guns against protesters, which led to widespread uproar from the streets to parliament.