Delhi Police Identify Stone-Pelters Near Mosque During Demolition Drive

Delhi Police have released photographs of individuals allegedly involved in stone-pelting  during a demolition drive near the Faiz-e-Elahi Mosque at Turkman Gate.

On Wednesday, during the demolition operation, police identified around 30 people suspected of being involved in the violence. Earlier on Thursday, the police released photographs of those allegedly involved in the clashes, in which five police personnel were injured.

According to news agency ANI, the photographs were obtained from CCTV cameras installed in the area. The footage reportedly shows several individuals wearing masks while pelting stones. Police teams are currently on the ground, identifying the suspects and taking them into custody.

The demolition drive was carried out on Tuesday night and Wednesday following a Delhi High Court order directing the removal of illegal encroachments around the century-old mosque.

On Wednesday, ahead of the drive, a large crowd gathered at the site. A few individuals allegedly began hurling stones as the situation escalated. Police responded by using tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and detained five people in connection with the incident.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range) Madhur Verma stated that further evidence is being collected.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Nidhin Valsan said that the police used “minimal force” and assured that legal action would be taken against those involved in the stone-pelting.

On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court issued a notice to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and other concerned parties on a petition filed by the managing committee of Masjid Syed Elahi, challenging the MCD’s decision to remove the encroachments.

Following this, 32 bulldozers were deployed at the site in the presence of MCD officials.