In a significant development following violent clashes in Old Delhi, the Delhi Police has made a total of 13 arrests in connection with a stone-pelting incident near the historic Faiz-e-Elahi Mosque at Turkman Gate. The arrests come as security remains exceptionally tight in the area, with authorities permitting only a limited congregation of about 20 individuals for Friday prayers at the mosque.
Arrests and Investigation Intensify
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Nidhin Valsan confirmed the arrests, stating that the individuals were taken into custody for allegedly attacking police personnel with stones during an anti-encroachment drive ordered by the Delhi High Court. The incident, which occurred early Wednesday, left at least five police officers injured.
The latest arrests include Mohammad Imran (36) and Mohammad Ubaidullah (26), who were apprehended from their residences in the Turkman Gate locality on Friday. In a serious escalation of charges, police have added Section 109 (attempt to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to the First Information Report (FIR) registered in the case.
"We have constituted a special investigation team led by an assistant commissioner and an inspector," DCP Valsan stated. "The probe is focusing on two key angles: apprehending all individuals involved in the stone-pelting and scrutinizing social media platforms to identify those who incited the violence."
Controlled Prayers Under Massive Security Blanket
To prevent any further unrest, police enforced a "controlled" environment for the weekly Friday prayers. While the Faiz-e-Elahi Mosque was not closed, entry was severely restricted. Only around 20 local residents were allowed to enter the mosque compound after thorough identity checks.
An officer involved in the arrangements mentioned that other worshippers were redirected to the nearby Badi Masjid, while many chose to offer prayers at home or in smaller local compounds. This action was taken under the provisions of Section 163 (restriction of gathering) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which was imposed in the area. Police had earlier advised people to pray at home.
The security deployment was massive and multi-layered. Over 1,000 security personnel from various forces were stationed around Turkman Gate and the narrow lanes leading to the mosque. The deployment included approximately five companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), two companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), and local police units. Riot control vehicles were kept on standby at the Kamla Market crossroads.
Social Media Provocation Under Scanner
According to police, the trouble began after misleading social media posts falsely claimed that the mosque was being demolished. These posts allegedly prompted a mob of 150 to 200 people to gather, who then proceeded to pelt stones and bottles at police and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) workers engaged in the court-ordered removal of encroachments.
DCP Valsan revealed that at least 10 social media accounts are currently under scrutiny. "Our teams will be approaching the administrators of these accounts one by one," he said, noting that two of the account holders were not at home when police teams visited on Friday.
Local residents expressed a mix of resignation and relief at the heightened security measures. Nadeem Qureshi (50), who has been offering Friday prayers at the mosque for two decades, said he prayed at a smaller mosque near his house this week. "The whole area is barricaded. Police ensured no crowd gathered. I think it's for the best; no one wants a riot here," he told reporters.
The situation remains tense but under control, with authorities maintaining a strong presence to prevent any recurrence of violence as the investigation continues to unfold.
