Delhi Police Arrest Additional Suspects in Turkman Gate Clashes

Recent Arrests in Turkman Gate Incident

On Friday evening, authorities in Delhi apprehended three additional individuals linked to the violent confrontations that erupted during an anti-encroachment operation near a mosque and graveyard at Turkman Gate on Wednesday.

This brings the total number of arrests in this case to 16.

The unrest began when the Municipal Corporation of Delhi initiated a demolition operation on land adjacent to the Faiz Elahi Mosque and a nearby graveyard.

An unnamed official from the civic body stated that the mosque itself remained unharmed during the operation.

However, police sources indicated that the situation intensified after social media claims suggested that the mosque was being demolished, prompting a large crowd to gather.

Reports suggest that between 150 to 200 individuals participated in the violence, resulting in injuries to six police officers, including the local station house officer.

The individuals arrested on Friday have been identified as Mohammad Naved, Mohammad Faiz, and Mohammad Ubaidulla, and they are now in judicial custody until January 21.

Delhi Police Additional Commissioner Nidhin Valsan confirmed that investigations are ongoing.

He also mentioned that authorities are actively searching for 10 more individuals believed to be involved in the disturbances.

A Delhi court has placed eight of the arrested individuals in 12 days of judicial custody, noting that their presence at the scene of the violence was evident.

Five others have requested bail, claiming they were assaulted while in custody, prompting the court to issue notices to the police and jail officials, as well as to seek medical documentation. The next hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.

Charges have been filed under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to rioting and obstructing public officials, along with section 109 concerning attempted murder.

This demolition operation followed a December 22 directive from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, which identified structures beyond 0.19 acres surrounding the mosque as encroachments subject to removal.

The civic body asserted that no documentation had been provided to prove ownership or lawful possession of the land by the mosque's managing committee or the Delhi Waqf Board, although the mosque itself is situated within the 0.19-acre area.

This order was issued following a November 12 ruling by a division bench of the Delhi High Court, which allowed the civic body and the Public Works Department three months to clear 38,940 square feet of encroachments near Ramlila Ground at Turkman Gate.

However, on January 6, the Delhi High Court remarked that the issue “requires consideration” while addressing a petition from the mosque's managing committee contesting the December 22 order.