New Delhi: The Delhi Police Crime Branch has started investigating the violence that broke out during the JUly 20 protest march called by the Cockroach
Janata Party (CJP) and has registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), officials told Times Now. Crime Branch officials said the probe will focus on the role of those allegedly responsible for the violence that erupted in New Delhi on July 20. Investigators will specifically examine whether the violence was “premeditated” or whether “criminal elements” entered the protest sites when the CJP called for a march to Parliament. On the directions of the Supreme Court, Delhi Police has already cancelled 17 FIRs. The Crime Branch will now focus on the July 20 violence, during which police officers were allegedly assaulted and public property, including police vehicles, was vandalised and damaged. Officials said CCTV footage showed protesters moving towards Parliament in a planned manner.
Facial Recognition System Investigation
Delhi Police deployed the Facial Recognition System (FRS) around the Jantar Mantar protest site between July 20 and 26, 2026. On July 24, police initially identified around 400 people with criminal records at or near the protest site through the FRS.
By July 30, reports said the number had increased to 2,873 people based on FRS identification. Of these, 2,402 were identified through Crime Kundli, while 471 were identified through dossier records.
On August 17, Delhi Police filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court detailing the 2,873 FRS identifications. A day later, the force told the Supreme Court that the system had been used to identify people with existing criminal records.
The use of the FRS later came under scrutiny. On September 4, a report found that at least 25 people flagged by the system were actually in jail at the time they were supposedly identified at the protest site.
What Happened On July 20?
During the July 20 protest march, clashes broke out between the police and the protesters, mostly students. Protesters alleged that the police used force, including lathicharged and the use of pellet guns, to disperse them. Several videos also surfaced online allegedly showing police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel hitting students with batons. Meanwhile, security personnel also claimed that they were attacked by the protesters.
