130 police and 65 students injured in July 20 protest; 15 FIRs filed in Delhi

At least 130 police personnel and approximately 65 students were injured during the July 20 “Sansad Chalo” protest march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament, according to sources from the Delhi Police. A total of 15 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered in connection with the demonstrations. Police sources stated that about 10,000 people gather on average at and around Jantar Mantar, where nearly 3,000 police personnel are deployed to maintain law and order. The Delhi Police are employing Facial Recognition System (FRS) cameras to identify anti-social elements attending the protest. “With the help of Facial Recognition System (FRS) cameras, Delhi Police is identifying anti-social elements coming to Jantar Mantar. Police have identified more than 2,000 such people so far who have had criminal records and came to Jantar Mantar,” the sources said. The police have maintained heightened security in and around Jantar Mantar as the protest continues, monitoring the movements of those arriving at the site. On July 20, tensions escalated as tens of thousands joined the “Sansad Chalo” march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, leading to the erection of barricades. Police responded with tear gas and lathi-charges, resulting in injuries to dozens on both sides. The crackdown provoked outrage across political parties and gave rise to legal petitions alleging excessive force. Meanwhile, police attributed stone-pelting and instigation of violence to anti-social elements. Reacting to the police statement about identifying over 2,000 individuals with criminal backgrounds attending the protest, Cockroach Janta Party representative Ashutosh Ranka told ANI, “We too will give a list of Police personnel to Delhi Police, who cracked open the heads of children, dragged them on streets, broke the ribs of our volunteers and slapped young girls. We will identify them not through FRS but through public. We will make it public. Let’s see what Delhi Police have to say to that.” Earlier, on July 21, FIRs were registered at the Parliament Street and Connaught Place police stations under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, the Arms Act, 1959, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act (PDPP Act). The FIR at Parliament Street police station includes sections such as Section 223(b) concerning disobedience of a public servant’s order or obstruction of government work; Section 221 regarding obstruction or influencing a public servant in their duties; and Section 132 related to assaulting or using criminal force to deter a public servant from performing their duties.