Delhi Police debunks 15 ‘fake news’ claims amid CJP protest

As investigations into the violence during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) “Sansad Chalo” march continue, Delhi Police has initiated a parallel effort to address what it calls misinformation related to the July 20-21 protests. The police have issued rebuttals to at least 15 viral social media claims and are reviewing hundreds of videos, photographs, and audio clips connected to the unrest.

Police sources report that a dedicated fact-check team has been established to verify viral posts related to the protests, trace the origins of misleading content, and identify those allegedly responsible for spreading false information. Officials stated that legal action will be taken against individuals found deliberately circulating fabricated or doctored material intended to create panic or disrupt public order.

Police stated that force was used only after protesters refused to vacate the Jantar Mantar site late Monday afternoon and violence erupted during the march toward Parliament.

Authorities reported that at least 118 security personnel were injured in the clashes, while several protesters sustained minor to moderate injuries and received treatment at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

The official rebuttals addressed a range of allegations circulating online. These included claims of a 12-year-old girl being assaulted and injured, the detention of CJP founder Abhijit Dipke, Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Geentanjali Angmo being dragged by her hair, the death of a young girl in a stampede after a police lathicharge, and the illegal detention of approximately 3,000 protesters without food or water. In each case, Delhi Police labelled the claims as “false” or “misleading” and urged the public not to share unverified information.

Notably, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das posted on X that Dipke had been detained on July 20 but deleted the post after Delhi Police. The police also rebutted several viral videos alleging that officers assaulted women, used batons with nails, or fired pellet guns during the clashes.

They stated that many of these videos were unrelated to the protest or shared out of context. Police further asserted that Delhi Police does not possess or use pellet guns during crowd-control operations.

Investigators are also reviewing a viral audio clip that, according to police sources, features the digitally manipulated voice of a senior officer. The source alleged that the original public appeal for peace was altered by “Pakistan-based handlers” before being circulated online.

In addition to investigating misinformation, Delhi Police is analyzing nearly 250 videos, CCTV footage, and AI-assisted camera feeds to identify individuals involved in stone-pelting, attacks on security personnel, vandalism of police vehicles, and damage to public property. Sources indicated that forensic experts and AI teams have also been deployed, and 10 FIRs have been registered so far.

However, the police’s account has come under scrutiny. Several independent fact-checking organisations have challenged some of the force’s rebuttals, particularly those concerning the alleged use of batons with metal nails during the crackdown. Videos circulating online also appear to show a senior Delhi Police officer slapping a woman near Jantar Mantar, an incident for which the force has not yet provided an official response.

Questions have also been raised regarding the denial of pellet gun use. As per claims, a 25-year-old protester Shaikh Irshad Mansoori underwent surgery after doctors reportedly removed multiple pellets from his face and upper body. If confirmed, this would be the first known instance of pellet ammunition being used against civilian protesters in Delhi. However, Delhi Police continues to vehemently reject the allegation, stating that the claims are fabricated.