Parliament building, New Delhi (file image), Wikimedia Commons, GODL-India
CJP protest probe: Key numbers
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.
July 20: date of the Sansad Chalo march.
2,873: suspects with criminal backgrounds identified through facial recognition, according to police sources.
250: videos reviewed, according to The Week.
17: FIRs cancelled after Supreme Court directions.
October 8: date of the reports on the probe.
The alleged offences include assaults on police personnel, vandalism and damage to public property, including police vehicles.
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.
The Daily Jagran reported that videos showed assaults on women protesters and stone-pelting by protesters.
It also reported that police used lathi charges, water cannons and pellet guns, which caused widespread uproar.
The Supreme Court ordered that no coercive action be taken against student protesters over the FIRs, according to The Week.
It also ordered the immediate release of detained minors with no prior criminal record.
Following those directions, Delhi Police cancelled 17 FIRs against students and other protesters.
The reports available on October 8 did not include a response from the Cockroach Janta Party to the probe.
Parliament building, New Delhi (file image), Wikimedia Commons, GODL-India