Delhi Police Inspector presses murder attempt and rioting charges against CJP protesters on July 20: Report | Today’s news
The Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) July 20 ‘Chalo Sansad’ march that created a stir online is back in the limelight after reports emerged suggesting that at least one in 15 cases registered by the Delhi Police involves charges of attempted murder. According to one of the first information reports (FIRs) accessed by HT, the protesters tried to disrupt Parliament’s security, assaulted police personnel and damaged public property.
The FIR was lodged on July 21, a day after the CJP’s major protest, at the Kartavya Path police station following a complaint by an inspector stationed at the site, who accused the protesters of violence at Rafi Marg. The FIR, registered at the Kartavya Path police station on the complaint of an inspector stationed there, details the alleged violence at Rafi Marg from the police’s point of view, alleging that the protesters tried to disrupt Parliament’s security, assaulted police personnel and damaged public property.
Following the CJP’s proposed protest, the inspector was deployed in Zone 11 near the Pink Booth at Kartavya Path’s C-Hexagon from 5 am, according to the FIR. The complainant claimed that he and his team received wireless reports that “protesters/rioters” were marching from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament at around 11.30 am. When police forces moved to the barricades near the Rail Bhawan Roundabout on Rafi Marg, they encountered a large crowd of protesters and witnessed the approach of thousands more.
The complainant alleged that despite frequent loudspeaker announcements of effective prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the protesters “continued to hold placards and raise slogans causing public nuisance”. This was despite police forces trying to “pacify” them and indicating that protests were not allowed in the area.
The protesters made “inflammatory speeches”, the FIR alleges
The complaint further alleges that the agitators, who had gathered to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and call for reforms in education, ignored legal instructions, turned violent and started making “inflammatory speeches”. The FIR accuses the protesters of provoking the gathering to “break through the government barricades and enter the Parliament building”, HT reported.
The inspector, who charged the protesters with attempted murder, said the agitators “with common intention” surrounded the security personnel, assaulted them, threw slippers and stones and “tried to kill them”. Several policemen were injured in the incident, the inspector complained. The officer also accused the mob of damaging government property and private vehicles.
Clarifying the use of force by the authorities, the report further said the police resorted to “mild lathicharge” to control and disperse the “violent mob”. In addition, tear gas shells were fired to quell the disturbance.
Charges filed against CJP protesters
The case was registered under section 223(a) (disobeying prohibition), 221 (obstructing a public servant), 132 (assaulting a public servant with intent to deter him from performing duty), 121(1) (causing injury to a public servant on duty), 189(3) (unlawful assembly), 190 (unlawful assembly) 1 offense (9 offences) armed with a deadly weapon), 191(3) (riot), 192 (inciting a riot), 324(5) (mischief causing damage to public property), 109(1) (attempted murder), 125(a) (act endangering life or personal safety) and 3(5) (common intention) BNS.
