400 criminals found loitering near Jantar Mantar protest site in 5 days: Police

Delhi Police's Facial Recognition System identified around 400 people with criminal records in and around the Jantar Mantar protest site between July 20 and July 24, with some suspects also linked to the July 20 vandalism, sources said.

In Short

• Delhi Police identifies 400 criminals near Jantar Mantar
• Police probe criminal links to July 20 protest violence
• Police looking for more evidences through social media

Delhi Police’s Facial Recognition System (FRS) has identified around 400 people with criminal records moving in and around the Jantar Mantar protest site between July 20 and July 24, sources told India Today.

As per the sources, the individuals were detected through the Facial Recognition System deployed in the area. The flagged persons were seen at the protest venue as well as surrounding locations in central Delhi during the five-day period.

Sources said police are now scrutinising the movement and activities of these individuals to determine whether they had any role in incidents of vandalism and violence reported in the New Delhi district on July 20.

Investigators have identified some criminal elements involved in the violence through CCTV footage and analysis of social media content, sources said. The probe is focused on establishing their presence at the protest site and linking them to specific incidents of damage to public property.

Among those identified by the police are few individuals with criminal backgrounds, including Sahil, Manoj Kumar and Rubal, sources said.

Another individual, identified as Sahil Saifi, has also been flagged during the investigation. Police are verifying their movements and examining whether they were part of organised groups present during the protest.

WHY FACIAL RECOGNITION SYSTEM WAS CRUCIAL

The FRS, which matches faces captured through surveillance cameras with police databases, has been extensively used by Delhi Police during large public gatherings and sensitive events to identify wanted persons and habitual offenders.

Officials said the technology enabled investigators to trace individuals with prior criminal records who were present in and around the protest site over the five-day period.

The revelations come as Delhi Police continues its investigation into the July 20 unrest in the national capital, during which clashes and incidents of vandalism were reported in parts of the New Delhi district.

Authorities have already relied on CCTV footage, digital evidence and social media analysis to identify those involved.

THE SANSAD CHALO MARCH AND VIOLENCE

The violence broke out on July 20 when thousands of protesters participating in the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) 'Chalo Sansad' march attempted to march towards Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session.

The protesters had demanding education reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination irregularities.

Security forces responded with tear gas, lathi charges and anti-riot vehicles after protesters tried to breach barricades in the high-security zone.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke was detained during the operation, while protesters also had internet disruptions amid the heavy security deployment.

CENTRE 'FAST TRACKS' DEVELOPMENTS

Following the July 20 violence, the Centre initiated outreach efforts to the protesting students.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government would establish fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials and strict punishment in paper leak cases, describing the welfare and future of the country's youth as the government's top priority.

However, he did not mention the CJP protests, allegations of police excesses during the 'Chalo Sansad' march or the demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

Hours later, the Delhi High Court designated a special fast-track court to exclusively hear paper leak cases.

In a subsequent video message, the Prime Minister said government departments had worked through the night to prepare the proposal, calling it a reflection of the government's commitment to addressing examination-related irregularities.

CJP GIVES 24-HOUR DEADLINE FOR PRADHAN RESIGNATION

After that, on Friday, senior ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh held talks with CJP leaders at the Constitution Club.

After the nearly two-hour meeting, CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the government had accepted two of the group's demands, including compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and assurance that no action would be taken against protesting students.

Ranka said the government had sought time until the following afternoon to respond to the demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

CENTRE RESHUFFLES TOP EDUCATION SECRETARIES

Amid the continuing protests, the Centre also reshuffled its top bureaucracy, transferring Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi and appointing Naresh Pal Gangwar in his place — the first major administrative change in the education ministry since the NEET-UG paper leak controversy surfaced in May.

Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike late Thursday night after expressing satisfaction with the government's assurances. Wangchuk, whose fast had lent momentum to the CJP-led agitation, said he was assured that no punitive action would be taken against the protesting students.

The investigation into the violence remains underway, with police examining additional electronic evidence and surveillance data to determine the extent of the involvement of the identified individuals, sources added.

- Ends