Delhi Police identifies 2,873 people with criminal records at student protest sites using facial recognition

Delhi Police has identified 2,873 people with criminal backgrounds who were present at student protest sites in the national capital between July 20 and July 25, according to sources. Investigators are now examining whether any of them were involved in the violence that erupted at Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas during the protests, while authorities have also intensified action against objectionable social media content linked to the demonstrations.

Facial recognition flags thousands with criminal records

According to sources, the Delhi Police used its Facial Recognition System (FRS) and other technical tools to identify 2,873 men with criminal backgrounds who were present at protest sites between July 20 and July 25.

Police are investigating whether these individuals played any role in the violence that broke out at Jantar Mantar and nearby areas in New Delhi.

Sources said the identified individuals have been linked to serious offences, including murder, sexual assault, robbery, kidnapping, narcotics-related crimes and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Investigators also found that several of them returned to the protest site multiple times.

Of the 2,873 identified individuals, 989 have records involving serious offences. Police data shows that 101 have been booked in murder cases, 62 in attempted murder, 284 in robbery or dacoity, 61 in rape cases, six under the POCSO Act, 25 in crimes against women, 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.

The data also indicates that many of those identified are repeat offenders rather than individuals with isolated criminal cases. Among those linked to murder cases, 42 face two or more criminal cases, while 12 have been named in 10 or more cases. Twenty-five people accused in attempted murder cases have multiple criminal records. In robbery and dacoity cases, 155 individuals have been involved in two or more criminal cases, including 31 who face 10 or more cases. Police data further shows that eight people accused in rape cases, six accused in molestation cases and nine linked to NDPS offences are repeat offenders with multiple criminal cases.

Police step up social media monitoring

Earlier on Monday, Delhi Police directed multiple social media platforms to remove posts and videos containing offensive and abusive remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi that were uploaded during the student protests at Jantar Mantar and the violence linked to the July 20 "Sansad Chalo" march.

According to Delhi Police, several posts containing abusive language targeting the Prime Minister surfaced across multiple social media platforms during the protests and the subsequent violence.

Officials said the force's social media monitoring team has been continuously scanning online platforms to identify such content. Notices are being issued to social media intermediaries asking them to remove objectionable posts, and police said several comments and videos containing abusive language directed at the Prime Minister have already been taken down after such notices.

The monitoring exercise is continuing, with cyber and social media teams maintaining close surveillance of online activity related to the protests to identify further objectionable content and take action wherever applicable.

Political fallout after protests

The developments come after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned and the Centre tabled the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill in Parliament on Monday to strengthen measures against paper leaks.

Following a 37-day nationwide agitation led by the youth movement Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and activist Sonam Wangchuk, the Centre initiated a series of measures aimed at addressing the issue. These included Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, three rounds of high-level discussions and the introduction of the amendment bill in Parliament.

Soon after these developments, the CJP announced that it was withdrawing its sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar. However, the Opposition, led by the Samajwadi Party (SP), has questioned the nature of the agreement between the Centre and the protesters, seeking clarity on the assurances allegedly given, the continued police action against student protesters and the government's position on student suicides.

According to Delhi Police, more than 118 police personnel were injured during the clashes on July 20, including senior officers ranging from the rank of Special Commissioner to Assistant Commissioner, as well as several women personnel. Around 60 protesters were also reported injured.

(With inputs from ANI)