A deep and allegedly well-orchestrated digital conspiracy has come under the scanner of Delhi Police following the recent violence during a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar. According to police officials, a two-week technical investigation conducted by the Cyber Cell and forensic teams has revealed that a coordinated online campaign was used to build a narrative aimed at inciting unrest. Investigators claim that thousands of fake social media profiles and foreign bot networks were deployed to amplify provocative content and influence public sentiment.
According to police sources, one of the most significant aspects of the investigation is the suspected cross-border dimension. Officials stated that nearly 480 social media handles traced to Pakistan—previously flagged for spreading anti-India content during Operation Sindoor—were also active during the period of the protest. Authorities are now examining whether foreign agencies or anti-social elements played a role in fuelling the unrest.
Police sources said that between July 20 and July 23, social media platforms witnessed a surge of objectionable reels, inflammatory videos and controversial posts. The content, they allege, was not organically shared but strategically boosted using automated bot networks designed to manipulate platform algorithms and maximise reach. Authorities believe this rapid and widespread dissemination of misleading material contributed significantly to escalating tensions on the ground.
The protests soon turned violent across key locations in central Delhi, including Jantar Mantar, Janpath, Tolstoy Marg and Parliament Street. During the unrest, miscreants allegedly pelted stones at police personnel deployed for maintaining law and order, as well as media persons covering the demonstrations.
As part of the ongoing probe, the Cyber Cell has issued formal notices to major tech companies, including Meta Platforms, Google and X, seeking detailed data related to suspicious accounts. Police have requested server logs, IP addresses, login histories, and location data associated with fake profiles, along with information on any centralised systems used to operate large numbers of accounts simultaneously.
The probe has also widened to include the leadership of the Cockroach Janta Party. Police are preparing to question key office-bearers, including founder Abhijeet Dipke, spokesperson Saurav Das and activist Ashutosh Ranka, following legal consultation.
Investigators have identified 2,873 individuals who allegedly took part in the protests and are said to have prior criminal records. Forensic teams are now analysing financial transactions and communication data to determine how the alleged campaign was funded and organised.
Police officials maintain that the violence was not a spontaneous outburst but the outcome of a carefully planned operation involving both digital manipulation and on-ground mobilisation. Efforts are underway to identify the masterminds behind the campaign as the investigation continues.
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