New Delhi
oi-Swastika Sruti
The crackdown of the NEET protest is on and the Delhi police have come up with something that cannot be ignored. Officials are examining hundreds of gigabytes of CCTV footage to identify those involved in clashes with security personnel and damage to public property.
Following the NEET paper leak protests, Delhi Police used CCTV footage and facial recognition to identify 2,873 individuals with criminal records involved in clashes and vandalism, resulting in over 200 injured police personnel, concluding after Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
According to police sources, the footage has helped investigators identify thousands of people with criminal backgrounds who were allegedly present during the protest. The investigation comes after violent scenes unfolded during the CJP’s “Chalo Sansad” march, which was organised to demand the resignation of the Union Education Minister over the NEET paper leak controversy.
Thousands Identified Through CCTV and Facial Recognition
The police cracked the CCTV cameras installed near Jantar Mantar, Sansad Marg, etc and using the face recognition tool they have identified 2, 873 people with previous criminal records who were allegedly present during the demonstrators.
Among them, 989 individuals reportedly have serious criminal cases registered against them, including allegations related to murder, attempted murder, robbery, rape, kidnapping, offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, sexual assault and Arms Act violations.
Delhi Police Sources say, “The Delhi Police alleges 2873 men with criminal antecedents were present at the protest site between July 20th and July 25th. These criminals have been identified using the Facial Recognition System and through technical means. Police are investigating…
— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2026
According to police sources:
- 101 individuals have murder cases.
- 62 are accused in attempted murder cases.
- 284 have robbery cases.
- 61 are accused in rape cases.
- 25 face sexual assault charges.
- 229 have Arms Act cases.
- 19 have kidnapping cases.
- Six have cases registered under the POCSO Act.
Police also claimed that many of these individuals are repeat offenders, with several facing multiple criminal cases.
Footage Shows Clashes, Stone Pelting and Damage
Investigators said the CCTV footage captured several incidents in which protesters allegedly breached police barricades and confronted security personnel.
According to the police, the videos show groups throwing stones, vandalising public and private vehicles, damaging shops and attacking police personnel during the march.
Officials also claimed that some protesters allegedly used pepper spray, attempted to overturn a police vehicle while an officer was inside and set a vehicle on fire near Tolstoy Marg. Bus tyres were also reportedly punctured during the unrest.
Police said more than 200 personnel were injured during the clashes. Several CCTV clips reportedly show injured officers being rescued by colleagues, while others capture police personnel being surrounded and assaulted by members of the crowd.
Protests Ended After Minister’s Resignation
The Cockroach Janta Party ended its protest on Saturday after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned, fulfilling the group’s primary demand linked to the NEET paper leak controversy.
