Delhi Police on Friday made two fresh arrests in connection with the violent stone-pelting incident near the historic Faiz-e-Elahi Mosque in central Delhi, bringing the total number of individuals apprehended in the case to 18.
Latest Arrests and Ongoing Manhunt
The two individuals taken into custody have been identified as Fahim alias Sanu (30), a resident of Turkman Gate, and Mohammad Sehzad (29), who lives in Chandni Mahal. Police officials confirmed that both were actively involved in the pelting of stones at law enforcement personnel.
This development follows the earlier arrest of three other suspects: Mohammad Naved (44), Mohammad Faiz (20), and Mohammad Ubaidullah (23), all of whom are also from the Turkman Gate area. Authorities have stated that the investigation is very much active, with more than 20 suspects still being traced. Raids are currently underway at multiple locations to nab the remaining accused.
Violence During Court-Ordered Demolition Drive
The clash erupted on January 7 when teams from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) arrived with earthmovers to remove illegal encroachments near the Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid at Turkman Gate, close to Ramlila Maidan. The drive was being conducted following an order from the Delhi High Court.
According to police reports, a group of 25–30 people allegedly began pelting stones at the police and MCD teams during the operation. Five police personnel sustained minor injuries in the attack and were subsequently treated at a nearby hospital, as confirmed by Central District DCP Nidhin Valsan.
Police Response and Social Media Scrutiny
In the aftermath of the violence, Delhi Police invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) around the mosque area. This move restricts public gatherings, and an appeal was issued urging people to offer prayers at home as a precautionary measure.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range) Madhur Verma stated that prior coordination meetings had been held with the Aman Committee and local stakeholders to ensure peace. He described the violence as the work of a "few miscreants" and noted that the situation was brought under control using "measured and minimal force."
The police investigation has taken a dual track. Using CCTV footage and videos from social media, they have identified approximately 30 individuals involved in the violence. In a parallel action, the police have also issued summonses to around 10 social media influencers, including several women. They are being called in for allegedly sharing reels and posts that suggested a religious structure was being targeted during the demolition drive.
With the arrest tally now at 18 and a significant number of suspects still wanted, the Delhi Police's crackdown on the perpetrators of the Turkman Gate violence continues intensively.
