Crime Branch sources said that the main focus of the investigation will be on the role of those responsible for the violence that took place in New Delhi on July 20. The investigation will specifically probe whether the violence was 'pre-planned' or whether 'criminal elements' entered the protest site when the CJP called for a march towards Parliament.
Following the Supreme Court's direction, Delhi Police has already canceled 17 FIRs related to the violence. Now the Crime Branch will specifically investigate violence related to attacks on policemen, vandalism and damage to public property including police vehicles.
On July 20, a large number of protesters had gathered in and around Jantar Mantar, Delhi. About 30 thousand people took to the streets and tried to march towards Parliament demanding action against paper leaks and other irregularities related to examinations.
As the situation worsened, there was a clash between the police and the protesters. The police used force, which led to widespread criticism.
After the incident, the intelligence system of Delhi Police was reviewed. Officials believed that the police did not have sufficient and accurate information in advance regarding the number of protesters, their mobilization and the role of various organizations.
Subsequently, the Special Branch of Delhi Police was directed to prepare more detailed and useful intelligence instead of merely gathering information about the location of the protest and the estimated crowd. However, in September the Supreme Court quashed FIRs filed against student protesters in Delhi, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Assam in connection with the protests that took place between 20 and 25 July. The court had directed that no further action or investigation would be conducted in similar cases across the country.