Chaos at Jantar Mantar: Special CP Injured Amid Pradhan’s Resignation Clashes
Violence broke out in New Delhi on July 25 after India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned. A Special Commissioner of Police and two other officers were hospitalised following targeted stone-pelting.
Escalation at the Protest Site
Security operations at Jantar Mantar transitioned into a violent confrontation on July 25, 2026, minutes after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation. While monitoring the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters, Special Commissioner of Police Anil Shukla of the Special Cell was hit by stones thrown from the crowd. The projectiles also struck two other field officers, requiring immediate medical evacuation to a local hospital.
Police reports indicate that the assault occurred without provocation as officers moved within the demonstration perimeter to manage the surge. In response to the attack, security units deployed tear gas canisters and initiated a lathicharge to break the violent momentum of the gathering. Order was restored shortly after the dispersal, though the site remains under heavy surveillance.
The Toll of Ongoing Unrest
The latest clash adds to a growing casualty list from the prolonged demonstrations in the capital. Data provided by law enforcement reveals the scale of the physical toll:
- Total Police Injuries: Over 200 personnel have been injured since the protests began.
- Protester Casualties: Approximately 65 demonstrators have sustained injuries during the active demonstrations.
- Legal Actions: The Delhi Police have filed 15 FIRs across various stations in the New Delhi district to address the violence.
Investigation and Current Status
Senior command staff remain on the ground at Jantar Mantar to oversee a massive security deployment. Investigators have begun reviewing video surveillance and field footage to identify individuals who directed stones at the Special Commissioner and his team. Despite the volatility earlier in the day, officials confirm the situation is currently managed and stable. Reinforcements occupy strategic junctions around the protest zone to prevent further breaches of the peace as legal proceedings against identified agitators commence.
Source: The Hindu — Cities
