Delhi Police has registered four FIRs so far and is in the process of filing two more in connection with violence, vandalism and other incidents during the “Sansad Chalo” march organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and farmers’ groups on July 20, sources said on Tuesday.
The cases were registered at Parliament Street, Connaught Place and other police stations, and invoke multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, they said.
One FIR was lodged in connection with the violence and stone-pelting near Regal Cinema at Connaught Place, while separate cases relate to unlawful assembly, unauthorised flying of a drone during the Parliament session and an alleged conspiracy behind the violence, a police source said
Two more FIRs are being prepared in connection with assault, taking the law into one’s own hands and other related offences, he said.
According to police sources, the FIR filed at the Parliament Street station was under BNS Sections 223(b) (disobedience of lawful orders); Section 221 (hindering public servants from imparting their duties); Section 132 (assault or use of criminal force against a public servant); Section 121(1) (unlawful assembly); Sections 189(3), 190, 191(2), 191(3) and 192 dealing with unlawful assembly, rioting and violence; Sections 324(5), 109(1), 125 and 3(5) relating to common intention; and Section 61(2) pertaining to criminal conspiracy.
The FIR also invokes provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
According to the FIR, the accused persons allegedly formed an unlawful assembly, disrupted public order, obstructed government officials from discharging their duties, indulged in violence and caused damage to public property.
Another FIR has been registered against unidentified persons in connection with the violence, stone-pelting and vandalism of police vehicles near Regal Cinema at the Outer Circle of Connaught Place during the march, the source said.
During the violence, protesters allegedly pelted stones at police personnel and damaged several police vehicles deployed in the area, he said.
Investigators are examining CCTV footage, drone visuals, mobile phone videos and other electronic evidence to identify those involved in the violence. They are also analysing social media content and other digital material as part of the probe, sources said.
The investigators claimed that the FIR related to the alleged conspiracy behind the violence was registered after they gathered several crucial pieces of evidence indicating planning behind the unrest, a police source said.
In connection with the unauthorised flying of an unmanned aerial vehicle in the New Delhi district during the Parliament session, Delhi Police had earlier said that it was verifying the authenticity of the footage and examining possible violations of applicable drone regulations.
Security arrangements have been stepped up across the national capital following Monday’s clashes, in which Delhi Police said more than 118 personnel were injured and over 20 police vehicles were damaged.
Security has been intensified in New Delhi, Central, North, South, South West and South East districts, besides other vulnerable locations.
Multi-layered barricades have been erected at strategic points, vehicle checking has been intensified, and additional police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed at sensitive locations, key government installations and major intersections.
A senior police officer said investigation into the violence was progressing and further legal action would be taken against all those found involved in assaulting police personnel, vandalising government property and disturbing public order based on evidence collected during the probe.
