NEW DELHI: A pre-dawn demolition drive by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) spiraled into violence, resulting in clashes and injuries to five police personnel in the historic Turkman Gate area. The incident occurred around 1 am on Wednesday when authorities moved to remove alleged illegal constructions around the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in central Delhi.
Demolition Drive Sparks Violence
According to police, the demolition was conducted following a court order. A senior officer stated that discussions had been held with local residents beforehand, informing them of the need to comply with the judicial directive. However, when the MCD team, supported by approximately 17 bulldozers, began the operation, a crowd of around 150 people gathered at the site.
The situation escalated rapidly when, as per the First Information Report (FIR), a group of 30-35 individuals from the crowd allegedly started pelting stones at the police and security personnel present. A police team had reached the location and set up barricades around 12.40 am in anticipation of the operation.
Police Response and Injuries
In an attempt to control the mob, the Station House Officer (SHO) used a megaphone to announce that BNSS Section 163, which grants power to issue orders in urgent cases of nuisance, was in effect and instructed the crowd to disperse. The crowd did not comply, broke through the barricades, and continued the stone-pelting. During the chaos, one person even snatched and damaged the megaphone.
Five police personnel, including the SHO, sustained injuries in the attack. In response, the police used measured force, including firing tear gas shells, to disperse the crowd. "The situation was swiftly brought under control using measured force, restoring normalcy without further escalation," the police said in a statement. After the crowd was dispersed, the demolition drive resumed.
Arrests and Investigation Using Tech
Police have arrested five individuals in connection with the stone-pelting incident. The accused have been identified as Kashif, Mohd Kaif, Mohammad Areeb, Adnan, and Sameer, who are residents of Chandni Mahal and Daryaganj areas. Their identification was aided by scanning CCTV and bodycam footage from the scene.
Authorities are also leveraging technology to identify other suspects. "We also deployed drones equipped with cameras, and multiple videos circulating on social media are being reviewed to identify other suspects in the case," police added. Notably, police claimed that the accused themselves recorded videos of the incident and circulated them online to urge more people to join.
A case has been registered under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 221 (obstructing a public servant)
- Section 132 (assault to deter a public servant)
- Section 121 (causing hurt to a public servant)
- Section 191(2) (rioting)
- Section 223(A) (disobedience of an official order)
- Section 3(5) (common intention)
Charges have also been filed under Section 3 of the PDPP Act, 1984. A special investigation team led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) rank officer has been formed to probe the stone-pelting incident.
On reports that Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi was present at the spot, Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range) Madhur Verma said, "Initial investigations indicate he had left before the demolition began." Several videos of the clashes had gone viral on social media platforms, showing a mob pelting stones while security personnel tried to control the situation.
