Delhi Police says 2,873 people with criminal antecedents attended Jantar Mantar protests

Delhi Police has alleged that 2,873 men with criminal antecedents were present at the protest site during demonstrations over the alleged NEET paper leak between July 20 and July 25, with investigators using facial recognition technology and other technical methods to identify those in attendance. According to ANI report citing officials in the Delhi Police, authorities are examining whether the individuals were involved in violence, vandalism and attacks on security personnel during the agitation at Jantar Mantar and other parts of the national capital.

The development comes as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which led the nationwide protests, demanded the withdrawal of all criminal cases against demonstrators and warned it would resume its agitation if the Centre failed to honour what it described as an agreed settlement.

Delhi Police allege suspects were linked to serious criminal offences

According to Delhi Police, many of those identified have been booked in serious criminal cases, including murder, sexual assault, crimes against minors, robbery and offences under the Arms Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Delhi Police said the suspects were identified through the Facial Recognition System (FRS) and other technical means.

“The Delhi Police alleges 2873 men with criminal antecedents were present at the protest site between July 20th and July 25th. These criminals have been identified using the Facial Recognition System and through technical means. Police are investigating whether these men were involved in violence that broke out at Jantar Mantar, in and around New Delhi. These criminals are involved in heinous crimes like sexual assault, murder and crimes involving minors (POSCO). Some of these alleged criminals came back to the protest site repeatedly. These particular criminals have serious offences registered against them.”

Police officials said the inquiry remains ongoing and is focused on determining the role, if any, played by the identified individuals during the protests.

Nearly 1,000 identified protesters allegedly have criminal records

According to officials cited by ANI and Hindustan Times, CCTV footage helped identify 2,873 individuals, of whom 989 were found to have criminal antecedents.

A report submitted to the government reportedly found that 101 had been booked in murder cases, 284 in dacoity and robbery cases, and 92 in sexual assault and other offences against women and children.

The report also stated that several of those identified had extensive criminal histories. Among the murder accused, 42 had been booked in two or more criminal cases, while 12 had records spanning at least 10 cases. Of those linked to dacoity and robbery cases, 155 had multiple criminal cases against them, including 31 who had been named in 10 or more cases.

Authorities also identified 135 people accused in snatching cases, 229 booked under the Arms Act, 67 under the NDPS Act and 19 linked to kidnapping cases.

CJP demands withdrawal of FIRs and release of protesters

Even as the police investigation continues, the Cockroach Janta Party renewed its demand for the withdrawal of all FIRs filed against protesters and organisers, along with the release of those arrested during the agitation.

Addressing a press conference, CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the issue had been discussed during the third round of negotiations with the Centre before the 36-day protest at Jantar Mantar ended.

"In the third round of talks, we had agreed that all FIRs filed against protesters and organisers across the country would be withdrawn and no new FIR would be filed against any organiser and protester in future."

Ranka said the organisation had submitted a draft agreement to Union ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh and was awaiting the government's written response.

"We are waiting for the government to share the written agreement. We hope a senior Cabinet minister will honour the agreement and the FIRs will be withdrawn, no protester or organiser would be harassed, and no cases would be filed in future."

He warned that the organisation would resume its protest if the government failed to issue the written assurance or release those arrested.

"If the written agreement was not received by Tuesday and protesters arrested in connection with the agitation were not released, the outfit would be forced to protest again."

In a post on X, Ranka also alleged that authorities had violated the understanding reached during the talks by arresting students in Bihar and West Bengal and detaining volunteers in Delhi and other states.

The Delhi Police has not publicly responded to those allegations. The investigation into the violence linked to the NEET paper leak protests remains ongoing.