Delhi Police arrest another accused in Turkman Gate violence; total arrests rise to 12

The Delhi Police on Friday arrested another man in connection with the violence that broke out during a municipal demolition drive near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in the Turkman Gate area. With this, the total number of arrests in the case has gone up to 12.

Police identified the latest accused as Mohammad Imran, also known as Raju, 36. Officials said he was allegedly part of the group involved in stone pelting during the operation.

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Investigators believe more people were involved. Police said around 30 individuals have been identified so far using CCTV footage, body-worn camera visuals, and videos that circulated on social media after the incident.

Also Read: Faiz-e-Elahi mosque stone-pelting: Delhi HM Sood warns against violence; Owaisi claims land belongs to Waqf

What police say happened during the demolition drive

According to the FIR accessed by IANS, the violence began around 12.40 am when police started barricading encroached government land ahead of the demolition. As the barricades were being put up, a group of 30 to 35 people gathered at the site.

Police said the crowd raised provocative slogans and tried to stop officers from carrying out the task. The situation worsened when stones were thrown at police personnel, despite repeated assurances that the demolition was limited to illegal structures and encroachments and that no damage would be caused to the nearby mosque.

Officials said some local influencers allegedly used WhatsApp groups to mobilise people and disrupt the operation. The intention, police claim, was to create unrest and obstruct civic authorities and law enforcement.

Political angle and ongoing investigation

Police have said a summons will soon be issued to Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi, who was allegedly present in the area shortly before the violence erupted. Senior officers had reportedly asked him to stay away from the immediate site, but he remained in the vicinity, according to police.

The search is also on for YouTuber Salman, who police allege attempted to disturb public order by calling residents to gather at the site through social media posts.

The incident has triggered a political row. On Thursday, BJP National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused the Congress and the SP of echoing Pakistan’s position on the demolition. Sharing a video of a Pakistani official commenting on the issue, Bhandari alleged that opposition parties were putting vote-bank politics above the rule of law.

The controversy erupted after a Delhi High Court order directed the removal of illegal encroachments around the mosque. While the BJP defended the action as court-mandated, Congress and SP leaders raised concerns over community sentiments.

The investigation is ongoing.