New Delhi: Delhi Police on Thursday, July 30, dismissed as "false and misleading" social media claims that Jantar Mantar had been closed for protests, even as investigators probing the July 20 violence during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) "Chalo Sansad" march examined whether some demonstrators had used artificial intelligence (AI) tools to prepare for confrontations with security personnel.
In a clarification, police said rumours circulating on various social media platforms claiming that protests were no longer allowed at Jantar Mantar were completely baseless and not supported by facts.
Jantar Mantar remains an active and authorised venue for peaceful protests in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by Delhi Police in compliance with the court's order, they said.
Under the existing SOP, permission can be granted for a gathering of up to 1,000 people at the protest site, subject to approval by the competent authority, police said. The clarification came amid a wave of social media posts claiming that the iconic protest venue had been shut for demonstrations. Police urged citizens not to believe or circulate unverified information and advised them to rely only on official communications for accurate updates.
Meanwhile, sources said the investigation into the July 20 clashes had found indications that some protesters may have used AI tools to search for ways to counter police crowd-control measures, including minimising the effects of tear gas.
"The investigation is being carried out through multiple methods. We have reasons to believe that some protesters used AI tools or other generative AI platforms to search for ways to immediately reduce the effects of tear gas, including use of wet jute bags, and to prepare themselves with hard hats, masks and goggles," a police source told PTI.
The source said police were collecting digital and other evidence to substantiate the findings, describing the process as time-consuming. Investigators are also probing the alleged distribution of hard hats, face masks and protective goggles to demonstrators before and during the protest. Police have not disclosed the names of any AI platforms allegedly accessed, nor confirmed whether any electronic devices have undergone forensic examination to establish such searches.
The July 20 protest saw clashes between demonstrators and security personnel at multiple locations, including Parliament Street, Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar, after protesters allegedly attempted to breach police barricades. Police alleged that stone-pelting was reported during the clashes, prompting security personnel to use lathi-charge, tear gas and pellet guns to disperse the crowd.
According to police, more than 200 personnel and over 65 protesters were injured in the clashes, while more than 15 vehicles, including police vehicles, were damaged.
Investigators have identified more than 2,800 people with previous criminal records who were present during the protest, and their role and level of involvement are being examined, police said. Multiple teams are analysing CCTV footage, videos, social media content and other electronic evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events and identify those allegedly involved in planning or carrying out acts of violence. The investigation is continuing from multiple angles, police added.