Fresh violence linked to the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest in central Delhi left several police personnel injured, including an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), prompting Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order, Zone-I) Devesh Chandra Srivastava to visit the injured officers at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital.
Delhi Police said the latest incident took place around 8.30 pm on Wednesday near Tolstoy Marg in Connaught Place, where a group allegedly pelted stones and bottles at security personnel deployed to maintain law and order.
ACP among injured in Connaught Place clash
Police said officers repeatedly appealed to protesters to remain peaceful, but a section of the crowd continued pelting stones. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Delhi Police then used limited force and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
ACP (Connaught Place) Vivek Bhagat was among those injured in the violence and was shifted to RML Hospital along with other injured personnel.
During the night, Special CP Devesh Chandra Srivastava met the injured officers at the hospital and enquired about their condition.
During the night of July 22–23, Special CP (L&O Zone-I) Devesh Chandra Srivastava visited Dr. RML Hospital to meet police personnel seriously injured during the CJP protests held at Jantar Mantar on July 22 and reviewed their condition: Delhi Police pic.twitter.com/dLUdr34e13
— IANS (@ians_india) July 23, 2026
CCTV footage confirms stone-pelting, says police
Meanwhile, Delhi Police on Thursday confirmed the authenticity of CCTV footage circulating on social media that allegedly captured violence during the July 20 CJP protest.
According to police, the footage shows incidents of stone-pelting and vandalism, including damage to shops and a petrol pump during the demonstration.
#WATCH | Delhi: CCTV footage from July 20th during the protest at Jantar Mantar has surfaced, which has been confirmed by the Delhi Police. The footage shows incidents of stone-pelting, breaking of glass at petrol pumps and shops. Delhi Police and RAF personnel are also seen… pic.twitter.com/HSmZb5MTGW
— ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2026
Police said more than 118 personnel, including senior officers and women officers, have sustained injuries since the protests intensified. Around 60 protesters were also reported injured in the clashes.
Security tightened; 16 Metro stations remain closed
Security has been stepped up across central Delhi following the violence.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) closed 16 Metro stations from Thursday morning until further notice. These include Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Mandi House, ITO, Janpath, Lok Kalyan Marg and several others.
However, interchange facilities continue to operate at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat.
Protests continue over NEET paper leak
The demonstrations began at Jantar Mantar before protesters attempted to march towards Parliament, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy and other examination-related issues.
The protests have triggered repeated confrontations between demonstrators and police, with both sides accusing each other of using excessive force.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that male police personnel assaulted women protesters during the crackdown, while opposition leaders also criticised the police action.
Separately, opposition MPs claimed they were stopped from meeting activist Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital, where he remains admitted during his hunger strike.
Delhi Police said investigations into the violence are underway and security arrangements have been strengthened to prevent further disturbances.