Taking cognisance of a slew of social media posts, the Delhi Police registered at least 10 FIRs for allegedly assaulting protesters during the ongoing demonstrations demanding rollback of special intensive revision (SIR) and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in the national capital. Most of the social media posts are about right-wing activists assaulting protesters.

This comes a week after citizens, activists and media organisations shared video clips and photos across social media platforms, tagging Delhi Police and demanding action against alleged assailants, most of whom were identified as right-wing activists, accused of attacking protesters.

The social media links and screenshots showing assaults, including those shared by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Indian Youth Congress, along with other political parties and activists, have been attached in the document seen by The Hindu.

‘Citizens can tag police’

“We have taken cognisance of the posts and registered FIRs. In some cases, the accused were arrested, while other accused involved in violence are being identified and traced,” said a Delhi Police official. “We urge citizens to attach Delhi Police in posts about such assaults so we can continue taking action,” said the official.

CCTV footage relating to the incidents is also being examined to identify those involved and establish the sequence of events.

In another case, four people identified as Raman Saini, 50, a resident of Pahari Dheeraj in Delhi; Vivekanand alias Vivek, 32, from Nangloi; Kapil Kumar, 27, who lives in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh; and Ravinder Singh alias Govind Hindu, 35, from Indirapuram in Ghaziabad, were arrested after a video showing individuals assaulting a male protester and attacking a woman during the October 10 protest. The case was registered at Kamla Market police station on October 11 under Sections 115(2), 126(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Hindu Raksha Dal president Pinky Chaudhary subsequently claimed that the accused were members of his organisation and vowed to protect them.

The police have also registered cases in connection with other incidents highlighted in videos posted on social media.

The police said CCTV footage linked to the incidents was being examined to identify the persons involved, establish the sequence of events and determine the roles of the suspected accused and appropriate criminal cases would be registered against those found to be involved.