Delhi Police has registered at least 10 FIRs and arrested five people in connection with alleged assaults and harassment of protesters demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, reported news agency PTI, quoting officials said on Sunday.
The cases were registered between October 11 and 14 at Connaught Place and Kamla Market police stations following social media posts and videos highlighting alleged attacks on demonstrators. Several posts accused right-wing activists of targeting protesters.
At least five people have been arrested in two separate cases, a senior police officer said, the report added.
An FIR was registered at Connaught Place police station on October 13 after an incident was flagged on social media. Gaurav was arrested in connection with the case, while efforts are underway to trace his alleged accomplices.
A video purportedly showing a group of men assaulting a protester while daring others to call them "cockroaches" circulated on social media. One of the men was also heard threatening to beat up anyone who spoke against the prime minister or the police.
In a separate case registered at Kamla Market police station on October 11, four people were arrested after a video purportedly showing individuals harassing and assaulting protesters went viral. Police took suo motu cognisance of the incident and initiated legal action against those allegedly involved.
The list of cases also includes multiple FIRs registered at Connaught Place police station on October 13 and 14 over incidents highlighted in social media posts and videos. Police are examining CCTV footage to identify those involved, establish the sequence of events and determine the roles of the suspected accused.
Several social media accounts have alleged that right-wing activists assaulted or harassed demonstrators during the protests. Police are examining the footage and allegations to establish the circumstances surrounding the incidents.
Separately, police are investigating social media posts allegedly circulating misinformation, rumours and fabricated videos related to the demonstrations. Investigators are also examining claims of police brutality against protesters to establish their authenticity.
In one case, police have sought information from social media platform X to identify a user accused of uploading videos that investigators suspect were fabricated and circulated to disrupt public order.
Police have identified more than 37 social media accounts for allegedly circulating misleading content related to the protests, including over 17 purportedly linked to right-wing groups, a police source said.
Takedown notices have been issued to more than 17 handles, including those linked to right-wing groups. Action has also been initiated under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and other laws over alleged attempts to incite people and disrupt law and order, the source said.
Some right-wing accounts allegedly shared posts and reels targeting protesters and portraying the demonstrations in a misleading manner, while other users circulated videos purportedly showing police brutality against demonstrators. Investigators are examining the content to verify its authenticity and identify those responsible, officials said.
The protests in the national capital have been organised to demand Kumar's resignation and a rollback of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Further investigation into the cases is underway.
(With inputs from PTI)
