Delhi Police Uncover 30 Individuals Linked to Mosque Violence: Investigation Underway
Investigation into Violence Near Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque
New Delhi: On Thursday, the Delhi Police announced that they have pinpointed 30 individuals involved in the unrest that occurred during a demolition operation near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in the Turkman Gate region. This identification was facilitated through CCTV footage, recordings from police body cameras, and various viral videos circulating from the scene.
Authorities indicated that a summons will be issued to Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi, who was reportedly present at the location prior to the outbreak of violence.
Delhi Police stated that senior officials had advised the MP to maintain distance from the area, yet he remained nearby before the incident unfolded.
As of now, five individuals have been arrested in connection with the stone-pelting incident that transpired during the demolition near the mosque. Multiple police teams have been established, and operations are ongoing to apprehend the identified suspects.
The FIR, which has been reviewed, outlines the events leading up to the violence, starting from the police barricading the encroached land to the locals chanting provocative slogans and subsequently throwing stones at the officers, despite attempts by the police to explain that the demolition was focused solely on illegal constructions and would not affect the mosque.
The unrest reportedly began at 12:40 a.m. when police initiated barricading in the area. A group of approximately 30-35 individuals gathered, chanting slogans and obstructing the police's efforts to establish a blockade.
The unruly crowd was instructed to disperse as Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was in effect, but instead of complying, they became increasingly aggressive, escalating their slogans and launching stones at the police.
Videos depicting the stone-pelting and damage to police barricades circulated on social media, inciting outrage among some netizens regarding the direct assault on law enforcement.
According to the complainant in the FIR, "One of the protesters seized the loudhailer and destroyed it."
"They not only obstructed and attacked the policemen on duty but also damaged the loudspeaker, barricades, and assaulted officers with stones," the FIR stated.
Several officers, including the Station House Officer (SHO), sustained injuries during the attack and were later admitted to LNJP hospital.
It was only after additional forces were deployed that the violent protesters were repelled, allowing for the removal of illegal structures surrounding the religious site.
The FIR has been filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 221 (obstructing a public servant), 132 (assaulting a public servant), 121 (causing hurt to deter a public servant), 191 (rioting), 223 (A) (disobedience to a public servant's order), and 3(5) (joint liability), along with provisions from the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.
The five individuals named in the FIR have been identified as Mohd Shahawaz, Mohd Aarib, Mohd Kasif, Mohd Adnan, and Mohd Kaif, all reportedly residents of the Chandni Mahal area.