Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) supporters during a protest march, at Sansad Marg, in New Delhi (Picture credit: PTI)
NEW DELHI: Delhi Police is examining alleged chat messages exchanged among participants of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ‘Sansad Chalo’ march that turned violent on Monday, with some conversations suggesting preparations to maintain communication during a possible internet shutdown and others referring to sacrificing lives for the cause.Police sources cited by news agency PTI said on Tuesday that investigators were verifying the authenticity of the chats and the identities of those involved before drawing any conclusions.The alleged messages are being analysed along with CCTV footage, drone visuals, mobile phone videos and other electronic evidence collected during the investigation into the clashes, which left 118 police personnel and around 70 protesters injured, besides damaging 15-20 government vehicles.
Chats allegedly discussed communication during internet shutdown
According to PTI, some of the alleged messages discussed alternative ways to stay connected if internet services were disrupted during the protest.”After reaching the protest site you might not get network in your device. Police last time also used network jammers and this time too can do so. However, it is very important to stay connected to the group you came with,” one of the alleged messages read.Investigators said participants had also shared links to applications that could reportedly function using Bluetooth signals in the absence of internet connectivity. “Make sure all of your group have the same app installed and are already connected before entering the protest site,” another alleged message stated.Police said they were examining the applications mentioned in the chats and would take action based on the findings.
Police examining messages on ‘sacrifice’ and mobilisation
The alleged conversations also contained politically charged remarks and mobilisation messages.One participant claimed the following day would be the “last day of Modi Government.”Some messages also referred to the possibility of participants sacrificing their lives during the protest.”Dekho yarr jo jaan dene tak ko taiyaar woh ye sunlo ke kam se kam tumhara ehsan to rahega aane wali pidiyon par, aane wale bacho par (if someone died, future generations would remember such sacrifice),” one alleged message read.Another message stated, “Bhai agar kisi ki maut hoti hai to usme to sarkar pe zyada pressure aayega (if someone dies, then it will create a lot of pressure on the government).”Police said investigators were examining the context in which these remarks were made and were trying to determine whether they reflected personal opinions exchanged among participants or were part of any coordinated effort linked to the violence.Forensic examination of the digital communications is underway, with cyber experts assisting in establishing the origin, circulation and authenticity of the messages.”Every message was being subjected to technical verification before being treated as evidence,” a police source said, adding that the investigation remained evidence-based and further legal action would depend on corroborative material.
Multiple FIRs registered after violence
The alleged chats surfaced as Delhi Police expanded its probe into the violence during the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march.Police have so far registered four FIRs and are preparing two more in connection with the violence, vandalism, alleged conspiracy and other incidents linked to the protest.The cases, registered at Parliament Street, Connaught Place and other police stations, invoke provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.Investigators are also examining CCTV footage, drone recordings, mobile phone videos, social media posts and other digital evidence to identify those involved in the clashes.Following the violence, security has been tightened across the national capital with additional police and paramilitary personnel deployed at sensitive locations, government installations and major intersections. Go to Source
