Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has begun a probe into the violence at the July 20 Cockroach Janta Party march to Parliament, examining whether it was premeditated and using facial recognition to identify 2,873 suspects with criminal backgrounds, according to police sources.
The figure is large, and the reports attach limits to it. They do not say how many of the 2,873 were involved in specific acts, and a criminal background does not by itself show that a person took part in the violence.
The probe has two questions. One is whether the violence was premeditated, and the other is whether criminal elements infiltrated the march after the CJP called for it.
The method is evidence-led: more than 250 videos, including CCTV, drone and body-worn camera footage, and a check on whether messaging groups were used to mobilise people, according to The Week.
The court has already set limits. The Supreme Court ordered no coercive action against student protesters, and 17 FIRs were cancelled.
They also include obstructing government employees and snatching police equipment such as jackets and helmets.
Police used facial recognition data to identify 2,873 suspects with criminal backgrounds, according to the police sources quoted.
The reports do not say how many of those suspects were involved in specific acts, and they do not say how many have been arrested or charged.
A criminal background does not by itself show that a person took part in the violence, and individual roles are still being examined.
Investigators have reviewed more than 250 videos, including mobile phone recordings, CCTV, drone visuals and police body-worn camera footage, according to The Week.
The July 20 Sansad Chalo march demanded the resignation of the then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak.
Security was tightened at Parliament and several entry gates were closed on the day, according to The Daily Jagran.
Parliament building, New Delhi (file image), Wikimedia Commons, GODL-India