The Delhi Police has intensified its investigation into the violence that broke out during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ‘Sansad Chalo’ protest in the national capital, registering at least four FIRs and probing whether the clashes were part of a larger conspiracy to disrupt law and order.
The violence occurred on Monday when thousands of protesters marched from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities.
Police said the cases have been registered at Parliament Street, Barakhamba Road and Connaught Place police stations under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, 1959, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act.
Injured policeman alleges role of ‘miscreants’
Head Constable Naveen Ola, who sustained a serious head injury during the clashes, alleged that “miscreants” may have infiltrated the protest and fuelled the violence.
“We cannot rule out the possibility of miscreants fuelling this protest,” Ola said while recounting the incident.
According to the officer, he had been deployed near Parliament Street from 7 am on Monday for law and order duties. He said the protest remained peaceful during the morning but turned violent later in the day when a section of protesters allegedly attempted to breach police barricades and march towards Parliament.
“We had asked these students not to move towards Parliament, but they pelted stones at us. These stones resembled the ones found on railway tracks,” he said.
Ola suffered a severe head injury after being struck on the forehead by what he described as a sharp-edged stone. He was admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, where he received stitches.
The injured officer said the Delhi Police Commissioner visited him in hospital and commended his service. Speaking about the incident, he said his wife and children were deeply affected after learning about his injuries.
Police examine conspiracy angle
Delhi Police officials said investigators are examining whether the violence was pre-planned and whether a separate FIR should be registered on charges of criminal conspiracy.
According to police sources, one FIR relates to the alleged unauthorised operation of a drone in the New Delhi district during the ongoing Parliament session.
Another FIR reportedly invokes criminal conspiracy provisions, with investigators claiming to have gathered significant evidence suggesting attempts to incite violence.
Additional FIRs have been registered over allegations of rioting, assault on public servants, obstruction of official duty and damage to public property.
Police officials said more cases are likely to be registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to assault and unlawful acts during the protest.
Charges under multiple laws
The FIR registered at Parliament Street Police Station invokes several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita along with sections of the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
The allegations include:
Unlawful assembly
Rioting
Criminal conspiracy
Assault on public servants
Obstruction of official duty
Damage to public property
Digital evidence under scrutiny
Investigators are relying heavily on digital evidence to identify those allegedly involved in the violence.
According to Delhi Police, more than 250 videos have been collected, including:
CCTV footage
Mobile phone videos
Drone camera footage
Police body-worn camera recordings
Police are analysing the footage to identify suspects, establish the sequence of events and determine whether any individuals involved have prior criminal records.
Officials are also examining whether the violence was orchestrated in advance or triggered spontaneously during the protest.
