Delhi Police flag 2,873 men criminal records at protest

Delhi Police have identified 2,873 men with prior criminal records who were present at protest sites in the national capital between July 20 and July 25, according to official sources. The individuals were identified through facial recognition technology and other technical means during a police verification exercise following clashes at a major student-led demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Authorities are investigating whether any of these individuals were involved in violence, vandalism, or attacks on security personnel during the period.

The protests, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), centered on alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination and broader education system reforms, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The minister resigned on July 25, after which the CJP announced the end of its sit-in protest. The most intense clashes occurred on July 20, when thousands of demonstrators attempted to march toward Parliament House at the start of the Monsoon Session. Police reported that over 200 officers and more than 65 protesters were injured in the violence, which involved stone-pelting and vandalism and led to the use of...