Delhi Police have launched a multi-pronged investigation into the violence that erupted during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) 'Chalo Sansad' march on Monday, 20 July, with investigators examining whether a larger conspiracy lay behind the clashes near Parliament. More than 70 people have been detained so far, and multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) are being registered based on complaints received from different locations across the capital.

What Happened on the Ground

The violence broke out after CJP supporters attempted to march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament despite police denying permission for the procession. Protesters allegedly breached barricades, triggering clashes with security personnel deployed in the high-security zone. At least 50 police personnel were injured in the confrontations, according to police sources.

Who Is Being Investigated

A key early finding, according to police sources, is that many of those taken into custody are not students — despite the protest being projected as a movement against alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Investigators are verifying the identities, affiliations, and roles of those detained. Sources said the probe will determine whether the violence was pre-planned or instigated by organised groups, with CCTV footage, mobile phone videos, and other digital evidence being analysed.

Social Media and Misinformation Under the Lens

A parallel strand of the investigation is focused on social media's role in escalating tensions. According to police sources, several suspicious accounts circulated misleading and inflammatory content before and during the protest. One widely shared post falsely claimed that seven protesters had been killed, 391 people injured, and 250 arrested — claims that officials described as baseless and apparently aimed at provoking further disorder.

Police sources said several posts allegedly originated from Pakistan-based social media handles and amplified unverified claims about the clashes. Delhi Police is coordinating with cyber experts to trace the origin of such posts and determine whether a coordinated online disinformation campaign was active during the protest.

Political and Legal Consequences

Sources said that if the investigation establishes the involvement of any political organisation or individual in planning, instigating, or financing the violence, appropriate legal action will be taken irrespective of political affiliation. This comes amid heightened scrutiny of protest movements in the capital, where the line between spontaneous unrest and organised agitation has repeatedly come under judicial and administrative review.

The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests or FIRs are expected as digital evidence is processed.