Delhi Police sources said facial recognition analysis identified 2,873 individuals with criminal backgrounds at the CJP protest
New Delhi: Delhi Police has identified nearly 2,873 individuals with criminal backgrounds among those present during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest in the national capital, with police sources claiming that many have histories of serious offences, including murder, rape, robbery, kidnapping, arms-related crimes and narcotics cases.
According to police sources, around 2,873 people with criminal backgrounds were identified through the Facial Recognition System (FRS) installed across various locations in the national capital. Officials alleged that several of those identified were either actively involved in or present near the protest sites where large-scale violence broke out on July 20.
The findings, police sources said, emerged after investigators analysed CCTV footage, facial recognition data and surveillance inputs collected from multiple locations affected during the protest.
According to Delhi Police sources, nearly 989 individuals identified through the facial recognition exercise were linked to serious criminal offences registered in the past.
The breakdown provided by police includes:
Murder: 101
Attempt to murder: 62
Dacoity and robbery: 284
Rape: 61
POCSO Act offences: 6
Molestation of women: 25
Arms Act cases: 229
Snatching: 135
Kidnapping: 19
NDPS and narcotics-related offences: 67
Police sources maintained that these figures are based on existing criminal records available in law enforcement databases and do not necessarily indicate convictions in every case.
Delhi Police sources further claimed that a significant number of those identified were habitual offenders with multiple criminal cases registered against them. Among the 101 individuals linked to murder cases, 42 had been involved in two or more criminal cases, while 12 had criminal records spanning ten or more cases. Of the 62 individuals linked to attempted murder, 25 were found to have multiple criminal cases against them.
Similarly, among the 284 persons connected to dacoity and robbery, 155 had records in two or more criminal cases, while 31 had criminal histories involving ten or more cases. Police sources also stated that eight of the 61 individuals linked to rape cases had multiple criminal cases registered against them.
Among those linked to molestation cases, six were repeat offenders, while nine of the 67 individuals associated with NDPS-related offences had histories involving more than one criminal case. Officials said these findings suggest that several individuals present during the protest were not first-time offenders but persons with extensive criminal backgrounds.
According to police sources, the majority of those identified through the facial recognition exercise were seen in several sensitive areas of Delhi. These include Jafrabad, Chand Bagh and Seelampur in North-East Delhi, along with Jamia Nagar, Shaheen Bagh and Okhla in South-East Delhi. Some individuals were also traced to parts of Central Delhi, officials said. Investigators are examining whether these individuals travelled to the protest locations together or were mobilised through organised networks.
Delhi Police also released CCTV footage that it says captures the sequence of events during the violence that erupted amid the protest.
According to officials, the footage allegedly shows protesters breaching police barricades, pelting stones at security personnel, using pepper spray, overturning vehicles and vandalising public and police property. Police further claimed that security personnel were physically assaulted during the clashes, several police vehicles sustained damage, and some protesters allegedly snatched and damaged the footwear of police personnel. Officials also alleged that the footage records violations of prohibitory orders and attempts to disrupt public order in multiple locations.
Delhi Police said investigators are continuing to analyse digital evidence, CCTV footage and facial recognition data to identify additional individuals allegedly involved in the violence. Officials maintained that the presence of a substantial number of persons with criminal backgrounds among those present at or near the protest sites has become an important aspect of the ongoing investigation into the July 20 violence. The police investigation into the incident remains underway, and further legal action will be taken based on the evidence collected during the course of the probe.
