Delhi demolition drive: Drones, videos to help identify those involved in stone-pelting; CCTV, bodycam footage lead to 5 arrests

NEW DELHI:A demolition drive by MCD to remove alleged illegal constructions around Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in central Delhi's Turkman Gate area around 1am Wednesday led to stone-pelting and clashes, due to which cops fired tear gas to control the situation. Five policemen were injured in the clashes.

Several videos of the incident went viral, showing a mob pelting stones while security personnel tried to control the crowd. Five police personnel sustained injuries. Five people were arrested for pelting stones at police and security personnel after CCTV and bodycam footage was scanned. The accused - Kashif, Mohd Kaif, Mohammad Areeb, Adnan, and Sameer - are residents of Chandni Mahal and Daryaganj.


A senior officer said that before the demolition, discussions were held with local residents, who were informed about the need to comply with a court order. However, on Wednesday, when MCD began the demolition drive with around 17 bulldozers pressed into service, a crowd of around 150 gathered at the site and shortly after that 30-35 individuals allegedly started throwing stones at cops. According to the FIR, a police team reached the site and set up barricades around 12.40am.

Drones, videos to help identify those involved in stone pelting
When 30-35 people gathered at the spot, the station house officer used a megaphone to announce that BNSS Section 163 (power to issue orders in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) was in effect and instructed them to disperse. However, the crowd did not comply, broke barricades, and allegedly began pelting stones. During the chaos, one person snatched the megaphone and damaged it.

Several cops, including the SHO, sustained injuries in the ensuing stone-pelting.
In response, police used force to disperse the crowd, after which the demolition drive resumed. "The situation was swiftly brought under control using measured force, restoring normalcy without further escalation," police said.

On reports that Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi was present at the spot, joint CP (central range) Madhur Verma said , "Initial investigations indicate he had left before the demolition began."

"We also deployed drones equipped with cameras, and multiple videos circulating on social media are being reviewed to identify other suspects in the case," police said.

DCP (central) Nidhin Valsan stated that a case was registered under several sections of BNS, including Section 221 (obstructing a public servant), Section 132 (assault to deter a public servant), Section 121 (causing hurt to a public servant), Section 191(2) (rioting), Section 223(A) (disobedience of an official order), and Section 3(5) (common intention). Additionally, charges were filed under Section 3 of PDPP Act, 1984. A special team led by an ACP-rank officer and including an inspector and four SIs will investigate the stone-pelting.

Police said the accused themselves recorded the video and circulated it, asking people to join.