The Delhi Police Crime Branch has launched an investigation into the violence that broke out during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest in Delhi on July 20 and has registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to officials quoted by ANI, the probe will focus on whether the violence was premeditated and whether criminal elements infiltrated the protest sites after the CJP called for a march to Parliament.

Using the Facial Recognition System (FRS), the Delhi Police have identified 2,873 suspects with criminal backgrounds. The Crime Branch will investigate the violence, including alleged assaults on police personnel, vandalism and damage to public property, including police vehicles.

Meanwhile, the police have already cancelled 17 FIRs following directions from the Supreme Court.

The violence broke out during the CJP’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march, which was held to demand the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.

Investigators have examined more than 250 videos, including mobile phone recordings, CCTV footage, drone visuals and footage captured by police body-worn cameras, to identify the alleged perpetrators.

The police are also investigating whether WhatsApp or Telegram groups were created to mobilise people ahead of the violence in New Delhi.

Several FIRs were registered at the Parliament Street and Connaught Place police stations under various provisions of the BNS, including those relating to rioting, violence, vandalism, damage to public property, obstruction of government employees in the discharge of their duties, and the alleged snatching of police equipment such as jackets and helmets.

The Supreme Court later directed that no coercive action be taken against student protesters in connection with the FIRs registered against them. It also ordered the immediate release of detained minors who had no prior criminal antecedents.

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