Murder and rape-accused among 989 criminals present at NEET protest: Delhi Police

An internal Delhi Police report accessed exclusively by India Today has revealed that hundreds of people present in and around the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests over NEET examination irregularities at Delhi's Jantar Mantar had criminal antecedents.

This included those accused of serious offences such as murder, robbery, rape, kidnapping and narcotics-related crimes.

According to the assessment, police examined over 100 CCTV cameras, analysed viral videos and scrutinised the identities of 2,873 individuals present at or around the protest sites during the agitation.

The report found that 989 people had previous involvement in heinous criminal offences. Among them, 101 had been booked in murder cases, 62 in attempt to murder, 284 in dacoity or robbery, 61 in rape cases, six under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 25 in molestation cases, 229 under the Arms Act, 135 in snatching cases, 19 in kidnapping cases and 67 in offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

OVER 100 LINKED TO MURDER CASES

The report further states 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 records in 10 or more cases. Of the 62 people booked for attempt to murder, 25 had multiple criminal cases against them.

Similarly, among those linked to dacoity and robbery, 155 of 284 had been involved in at least two criminal cases, while 31 had records in 10 or more cases. Of the 61 people accused in rape cases, eight had multiple criminal antecedents.

The report also found repeat offenders among those booked under the Arms Act, for molestation, and under the NDPS Act.

According to the Delhi Police's internal briefing, the force maintained that its response on July 20 was 'graded, restrained and warranted', arguing that much of the public discourse had focused on visuals of baton charges and tear gas without the events that preceded the use of force.

The briefing said permission had been granted only for a sit-in at Jantar Mantar and not for a march towards Parliament, which it described as a high-security zone during an ongoing Parliament session.

POLICE CLAIMS OF REPEATED WARNINGS

Police claimed repeated public announcements were made asking protesters to remain within the designated protest site, but sections of the crowd allegedly advanced towards Parliament and breached multiple barricades.

The briefing further alleged that police vehicles were damaged and several police personnel, including senior officers, were surrounded, heckled and injured while attempting to prevent the march.

It also claimed some media personnel faced heckling and physical harassment.

According to the police, force was used only after repeated warnings, deployment of barricades and other crowd-control measures failed.

It said a targeted lathi-charge and controlled use of tear gas were authorised only against those allegedly breaching barricades or attacking personnel, and that the force was withdrawn once the immediate situation was brought under control.

The briefing added that a post-incident review was underway to assess both the police response and the role of alleged disruptive elements within the crowd.

ASSESSMENT A PART OF LAW-AND-ORDER SITUATION REVIEW

The Delhi Police assessment forms part of its review of the law-and-order situation during the 36-day CJP-led agitation over alleged NEET examination irregularities, which culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The report analyses the profile of individuals who were present at and around the protest sites during the demonstrations.