Delhi Police Launches Misinformation Crackdown as Probe Into CJP ‘Sansad Chalo’ Violence Intensifies

Delhi Police has intensified its investigation into the July 20–21 CJP “Sansad Chalo” protest violence by launching a parallel crackdown on alleged misinformation. Authorities have issued multiple rebuttals, registered 10 First Information Reports, reviewed nearly 250 videos, and denied allegations involving pellet guns, while independent fact-checkers continue to challenge parts of the official account.

Delhi Police has launched a parallel investigation into alleged misinformation surrounding the violence during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) “Sansad Chalo” march, even as the broader investigation into the July 20–21 unrest continues. The force has issued rebuttals to at least 15 viral social media claims and is examining hundreds of videos, photographs, and audio clips linked to the protests, intensifying efforts to establish the sequence of events and identify those responsible for violence and the spread of false information.

According to police sources, a dedicated fact-check team has been formed to verify viral posts related to the protests, trace the origin of misleading content, and identify individuals allegedly responsible for circulating fabricated or manipulated material. Officials stated that legal action would be initiated against anyone found deliberately spreading false information intended to create panic or disturb public order.

Delhi Police maintained that force was used only after protesters allegedly refused to vacate the Jantar Mantar protest site late on Monday afternoon and violence broke out during the march toward Parliament. Authorities stated that at least 118 security personnel were injured during the clashes, while several protesters sustained minor to moderate injuries and received medical treatment at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

The police rebuttals addressed multiple claims that gained widespread attention on social media. These included allegations that a 12-year-old girl was assaulted and injured, CJP founder Abhijit Dipke had been detained, Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Geentanjali Angmo had been dragged by her hair, a young girl had died in a stampede following a police baton charge, and nearly 3,000 protesters had been illegally detained without food or water. Delhi Police described each of these claims as either “false” or “misleading” and appealed to the public not to circulate unverified information.

In one instance, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das posted on X that Abhijit Dipke had been detained on July 20. The post was later deleted after Delhi Police disputed the claim. The police also rejected several viral videos alleging that officers assaulted women, used batons fitted with metal nails, or fired pellet ammunition during the clashes.

According to Delhi Police, many of the videos being circulated were unrelated to the protests or were being shared without proper context. The force further asserted that it neither possesses nor uses pellet guns during crowd-control operations.

Investigators are also examining a viral audio recording that police sources claim contains a digitally manipulated voice resembling that of a senior police officer. According to the sources, an original public appeal for peace was altered by individuals described as “Pakistan-based handlers” before being circulated on social media.

Alongside the misinformation investigation, Delhi Police is reviewing nearly 250 videos, closed-circuit television recordings, and artificial intelligence-assisted camera footage to identify individuals allegedly involved in stone-pelting, attacks on security personnel, vandalism of police vehicles, and damage to public property. Police sources stated that forensic experts and artificial intelligence teams have been deployed to support the investigation. So far, 10 First Information Reports have been registered in connection with the violence.

Despite the official account, Delhi Police has come under increasing scrutiny. Several independent fact-checking organisations have questioned some of the force’s rebuttals, particularly those concerning allegations that batons fitted with metal nails were used during the crackdown. Videos circulating on social media also appear to show a senior Delhi Police officer slapping a woman near Jantar Mantar, an incident on which the police have not yet issued an official response.

Questions have also been raised over the police denial of pellet gun use. According to the claims, 25-year-old protester Shaikh Irshad Mansoori underwent surgery after doctors reportedly removed multiple pellets from his face and upper body. If verified, the case would represent the first known instance of pellet ammunition being used against civilian protesters in Delhi. However, Delhi Police has continued to strongly reject the allegation, maintaining that the claims are fabricated.

The parallel investigations into the violence and the alleged spread of misinformation have placed the July 20–21 protests under intense scrutiny. While Delhi Police continues to pursue those accused of participating in the violence and circulating misleading content, questions surrounding the use of force and conflicting claims from independent fact-checkers remain central to the ongoing investigation.