Delhi Police Identify 2,873 Suspected Criminals in Jantar Mantar CCTV Footage
Delhi Police have identified 2,873 individuals with criminal records using facial recognition software while reviewing hundreds of gigabytes of CCTV footage from July 20-22 protests near Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place. The demonstrations were led by the satirical political group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam paper leaks.
According to police sources, out of the 2,873 identified offenders, 989 have serious criminal records. Data shared by sources revealed the group includes 101 individuals accused of murder, 62 of attempted murder, 284 of robbery, 61 of rape, six under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 25 of sexual assault, 229 under the Arms Act, and 19 of kidnapping.
Police records indicate that a significant number of those identified are habitual offenders with multiple registered cases. Among the 101 murder accused, 42 face two or more cases, while 12 have 10 or more cases logged against them. Additionally, eight of the 61 rape accused have two or more cases registered against their names.
The CCTV footage, spanning at least 100 video clips, captured widespread violence during the face-offs between security personnel and crowds on July 20 and July 22. Protesters breached security cordons, threw stones, used pepper spray, vandalized vehicles, damaged shops and public property, and violated bans on large gatherings. On July 20, crowds threw stones at multiple locations along Sansad Marg, set a vehicle on fire at Tolstoy Marg, punctured bus tires, and attempted to overturn a police vehicle containing an officer near Jantar Mantar.
Approximately 200 police personnel were injured in direct attacks during the unrest. Video clips showed crowds surrounding and thrashing an officer at Sansad Marg, as well as colleagues evacuating an injured woman police officer. Footage from July 22 further documented attacks on police officers Nandkishore and Vivek Bhagat.
Police sources confirmed that objectionable comments recorded on camera are being analyzed for further legal action. These include derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi made by a woman in Connaught Place, inflammatory comments about parliament at Sansad Marg, and expletives directed at police.
The CJP called off its protest on Saturday following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak. Multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed across India after the July 20 'Chalo Sansad' march, though the CJP claimed the government agreed to withdraw the charges.
