The Delhi Police has placed 2,873 people with criminal records under watch ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s proposed October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar, officials said.
The individuals were identified through the Facial Recognition System (FRS) during the CJP’s July demonstration against the alleged NEET paper leak. Police officials said local police stations are being asked to track those with serious criminal antecedents who may attempt to travel to Delhi for the upcoming protest.
The CJP has announced its ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’ campaign to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The proposed demonstration is scheduled to begin on October 10.
According to Delhi Police sources, the FRS had flagged 2,873 people during the July protests. Among them were 989 people accused in heinous offences, 101 named in murder cases and 42 allegedly involved in two or more murder cases.
Police sources also said at least 25 of those identified were accused of serious offences, including murder, attempt to murder, rape and child abuse, and were reportedly supposed to be in jail.
A senior police officer said police stations would monitor individuals with a history of serious offences, particularly those who had attended the previous protest. Officials said the focus was on preventing any disruption to law and order around the protest site.
Police Reach Out to Students
The Delhi Police is also informing students about restrictions on public gatherings in the New Delhi district.
Officials said meetings with Residents’ Welfare Associations in areas with large student populations are being used to communicate with paying guest accommodation owners. PG owners are being asked to inform students that Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) is currently in force in the New Delhi district.
Police said unauthorised gatherings in the restricted area could lead to action.
Border Areas Under Surveillance
Delhi’s borders have also been placed under greater watch ahead of the proposed demonstration. Police officials said they would monitor large groups entering the capital, particularly through the Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan borders.
The UP border connects with East Delhi and Shahdara, while the Haryana and Rajasthan borders connect with Dwarka and Southwest Delhi.
Police are also planning barricading and checking on routes leading towards New Delhi to monitor large movements of people, officials said.
Meanwhile, CJP co-convener Saurab Das visited the Parliament Street police station and submitted a letter asserting the group’s right to protest at Jantar Mantar.
Das later appeared at a press conference at the Press Club of India alongside All India Students’ Association president Neha Bora. The two announced a joint appeal for citizens to gather at Jantar Mantar in support of what they described as an effort to “save the democracy of the country”.
Das said the CJP had not sought permission from the Delhi Police but had informed the authorities about its plan to hold a demonstration against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
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