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The Delhi Police have registered 13 FIRs in connection with the violence during the Cockroach Janata Party protest on July 20.
Investigations have uncovered several specific profiles involved in generating or amplifying the abusive material during the demonstration at Jantar Mantar on July 19 and 20.
(File photo: AFP)
The Delhi government on Thursday announced that no adverse legal action will be taken against individuals involved in the recent protests at Jantar Mantar, even as police continue to investigate violence linked to the demonstrations.
In an official statement, the Home Department said police authorities across the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi have been directed not to initiate adverse legal proceedings against those who participated in the protests.
However, the government clarified that the protection will not apply to individuals with criminal antecedents.
“No adverse legal action shall be taken by any police authority within the NCT of Delhi against persons involved in these protests. However, this protection shall not extend to persons having criminal antecedents,” the statement said.
The government further said that in cases where arrests or detentions have already been made in connection with the protests, the process of reviewing such arrests and facilitating the release of eligible individuals will be undertaken expeditiously.
The decision comes after Delhi Police registered 13 FIRs in connection with the violence that erupted during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest on July 20.
CJP Threatens Fresh Protest
The announcement follows similar decisions taken by governments in Bihar, Assam and Maharashtra.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which has been at the forefront of the protests, had said it would return to Jantar Mantar if the FIRs registered in connection with the demonstrations are not withdrawn.
What Happened On July 20?
On July 20, 2026, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) organised a large-scale “Sansad Chalo” march from Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Thousands of protesters gathered at the protest site and attempted to march towards Parliament, despite heavy security arrangements that included a large police deployment and multiple layers of barricades. The demonstrators were demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, action against those responsible for alleged examination irregularities, and compensation for the families of students who had died.
The situation escalated when protesters attempted to breach barricades near Janpath and Raisina Road, triggering clashes with security personnel.
Police responded with tear gas shells, water cannons and lathi charges to disperse the crowd. Authorities also reported incidents of stone-pelting, damage to public property and vandalism of police and government vehicles during the unrest.
According to reports, the violence left more than 100 police personnel and several hundred protesters injured. Many of the injured were treated at nearby hospitals, including Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital.
As the crackdown intensified, some protesters reportedly took shelter at nearby locations, including Gurdwara Bangla Sahib.
Police Identified Nearly 2,900 Individuals With Criminal Records
The government’s announcement comes days after Delhi Police claimed to have identified a large number of individuals with criminal backgrounds at the protest site.
Police are investigating whether any of them were involved in the violence reported at Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas of New Delhi.
Sources said many of those identified have been previously booked in serious criminal cases, including murder, sexual assault, robbery, kidnapping, offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, arms-related offences and narcotics cases.
Of the 2,873 individuals identified, police said 989 had records of serious offences. These included 101 accused in murder cases, 62 accused in attempted murder cases, 284 linked to robbery and dacoity, 61 booked in rape cases, 6 accused under the POCSO Act, 25 booked for crimes against women, 229 involved in Arms Act violations, 135 linked to snatching cases, 19 accused in kidnapping cases, and 67 involved in NDPS and narcotics-related offences.
According to police sources, several of these individuals visited the protest site multiple times during the course of the demonstrations.
About the Author
Saurabh Verma is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, specializing in Indian politics, national current affairs, and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking power shifts, election strateg…Read More
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