Delhi Crime Branch to investigate July 20 CJP protest violence, probe possible pre-planning

The Delhi Police Crime Branch will take over the investigation into the violence that erupted during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in the national capital on July 20, with investigators set to examine whether the incidents were planned in advance or whether individuals with criminal intent joined the demonstration and participated in the violence.

According to sources, the Crime Branch has registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the violence. The investigation will seek to identify those allegedly responsible and reconstruct the sequence of events before, during and after the protest, including the attempted Parliament March.

Probe to establish whether violence was pre-planned

A central focus of the investigation will be to determine whether the violence was part of a pre-planned strategy or whether criminal elements infiltrated the protest and became involved in the incidents, sources said.

Investigators will examine the circumstances leading up to the violence, the people present at different protest locations and the events that followed. The Crime Branch will also look into the role of individuals who allegedly incited violence at protest sites during the Parliament March.

The investigation will cover allegations involving attacks on police personnel, vandalism and damage to government property. Public property allegedly damaged during the violence, including police vehicles, will also be examined.

Violence had triggered multiple police cases

The July 20 protest, organised as part of the CJP's campaign over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, saw thousands of protesters attempt to march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament. Clashes broke out at several locations after police stopped the march.

Delhi Police initially registered multiple FIRs over the violence. One of the cases included allegations of rioting, assault on public servants and damage to public property, while another FIR related to alleged conspiracy to incite violence. Police also examined CCTV footage to identify those involved.

At least 118 police personnel and nearly 60 protesters were reported injured in the clashes. The violence also led to allegations that protesters attempted to breach security arrangements around Parliament.

An FIR registered at Kartavya Path police station also included an attempt-to-murder charge and alleged that protesters tried to breach Parliament security, assaulted police personnel and damaged public property.

CCTV footage to form part of reconstruction

The Crime Branch's reconstruction of the events is expected to draw on available CCTV footage and other evidence to establish how the clashes unfolded and identify those allegedly responsible.

Later CCTV footage showed protesters reaching within around 100 metres of Parliament during the march, with repeated clashes reported at several points. The footage also raised questions over police preparedness, barricading and enforcement of prohibitory restrictions in the New Delhi district.

The police had deployed large numbers of personnel and riot-control units during the march. The clashes involved allegations and counter-allegations of excessive force and violence by protesters and police.

Supreme Court directions lead to FIR review

The latest development comes after the Delhi Police, acting on directions of the Supreme Court, cancelled 17 FIRs registered in connection with the July violence.

The Crime Branch will now focus on the individuals allegedly responsible for the violence rather than merely examining the cases registered at the time of the protest. The agency will seek to establish the sequence of events and determine the circumstances that led to the clashes.

The probe will examine the role of people present at the protest sites, the actions that preceded the violence and what happened afterwards. Investigators will specifically seek to establish whether there was any prior planning behind the incidents.

CJP had called the march peaceful

The CJP had described its July 20 programme as a peaceful march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament and appealed to participants to avoid violence and vandalism. Its official account of the event said the protest was intended to demand accountability over examination paper leaks and the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

However, the march escalated into clashes after protesters attempted to move towards Parliament. More than 10,000 people were reported to have taken part, while police used tear gas and baton charges to disperse sections of the crowd.

The Crime Branch investigation will now determine how the protest developed into violence, who was responsible for the alleged offences and whether the incidents were spontaneous or involved prior planning.