The ongoing demonstrations at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), have taken a controversial turn as the movement continues to push its core demands. While the demonstrators remain steadfast in raising their voices against the NEET paper leak issue and adamantly demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, a concerning new development has suddenly emerged. At the same time, Sonam Wangchuk is continuing his fasting protest while admitted at Medanta Hospital, even as government representatives attempt to placate the situation and reach a resolution. Amidst all these parallel developments, the discovery of a notorious history-sheeter participating in the core CJP demonstrations has added a highly complex layer to the ongoing movement.
Notorious Criminal Identified in Protest Video
A recently surfaced video from the July 20 demonstration has clearly exposed the active involvement of a well-known criminal element in the otherwise student-focused agitation. Hafi Afzal, officially designated as a history-sheeter by law enforcement, was spotted prominently raising slogans alongside his loyal supporters during the public gathering. The undeniable presence of Afzal, an individual who has previously served extensive prison time for serious criminal offenses, has raised significant questions regarding the sudden infiltration of the protest by anti-social elements. Adding a distinct political dimension to his unexpected presence, Afzal's wife is an incumbent municipal councilor affiliated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Background of Hafi Afzal and Political Ties
The direct connection between the July 20 violence that unfolded at Jantar Mantar and this notorious history-sheeter is currently under intense police scrutiny. Hafi Afzal is widely recognized as a prominent and feared criminal figure operating out of the North East Delhi region. According to detailed statements from police sources, he holds significant sway and influence in his local area due to his extensive criminal background. Furthermore, his political connections run remarkably deep through his immediate family; his wife, Hajjan Shakila, currently serves as an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councilor actively representing Ward Number 225 in the Seelampur area. Authorities have confirmed that Afzal arrived at the main CJP protest venue accompanied by a large group of his personal supporters, and his exact role in the chaotic events of that day is now the subject of a highly detailed ongoing investigation.
Extensive Criminal Record and Past Convictions
Official police records reveal a staggering and violent criminal history associated with Hafi Afzal over the years. Law enforcement documentation shows that he has been formally implicated in a total of 26 separate criminal cases spanning a wide variety of highly serious charges. These extensive charges include murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, physical assault, and severe violations of both the Arms Act and the DPDP Act, in addition to cases under the stringent MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) framework. His most recent officially recorded case, formally registered as FIR number 296/2009, was filed under Section 3 of the DPDP Act at the local Seelampur police station. Furthermore, he faced a major legal setback and conviction in connection with FIR number 18/2009 under the MCOCA provisions. On August 28, 2013, a presiding court officially found him guilty in this specific MCOCA case, immediately handing down a strict sentence of 6 years in prison.
Police Investigation into Parliament March Violence
Law enforcement officials have clearly stated that Hafi Afzal has already successfully completed his court-mandated sentences across his various separate past cases. However, his recent public activities have once again placed him firmly on the radar of investigating police officers. Authorities confirmed that Afzal, actively leading a substantial group of young men, participated heavily in the large-scale demonstrations that occurred on the 20th of July. Dedicated investigators are now meticulously examining his potential direct involvement in the specific acts of violence that suddenly erupted during the planned Parliament march on that particular date. The overarching backdrop to this specific incident remains the massive, ongoing nationwide uproar over the controversial NEET paper leak, a scandal which has seen continuous and fierce protests stretching from local streets all the way to the Parliament.
The Ongoing CJP Agitation and Recent Clashes
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has been maintaining a relentless and highly visible sit-in protest for the past 20 to 22 days straight at the Jantar Mantar site. The broader protest movement, which is currently being guided and led by figures Sonam Wangchuk and Abhijeet Dipke, escalated significantly and dangerously on July 20. On that specific day, the CJP organized and executed a massive protest march originating from Jantar Mantar and aggressively heading directly towards the main Parliament building. The situation rapidly deteriorated when Delhi Police units attempted to set up physical barricades to stop the steadily advancing protesters, inevitably leading to severe and chaotic clashes between the deployed law enforcement authorities and the angry demonstrators. This tense confrontation ultimately resulted in the police forces officially resorting to a physical lathi-charge tactic in order to control and forcibly disperse the highly agitated crowd.
