Fresh CCTV footage from central Delhi’s Turkman Gate has cast serious doubt on claims that the violence during the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)’s
pre-dawn demolition drive around the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque was spontaneous. The footage indicates that rioters were fully aware of surveillance cameras and arrived with their faces covered to evade identification, directly contradicting claims that police targeted innocent civilians. The demolition exercise, conducted around 1 am on Wednesday to remove alleged illegal constructions in compliance with a court order, spiralled into violence when a crowd gathered at the site and a group of 30–35 people allegedly began attacking security personnel with stones. Police were forced to fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob and bring the situation under control. Five police personnel sustained injuries in the clashes.
Why the Demolition Was Carried Out
According to an official statement, the demolition was conducted by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi following directions from the Delhi High Court to remove unauthorised encroachments in the vicinity of the mosque. Officials maintained that the structures were illegal and posed safety and public order concerns, necessitating immediate action.Also Read: Hashtag 'Delhi 6 Faiz Dargah' Under Scanner As Delhi Police Track Online Posts Amid Turkman Gate Demolition Clash
To ensure law and order, Delhi Police put in place elaborate security arrangements. The area was divided into nine zones, each supervised by an officer of the rank of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, with personnel deployed at all sensitive points.
What Happened During the Demolition
According to senior police officials as per a report by Times of India, residents had been informed in advance about the demolition and discussions were held prior to the operation. Despite this, as nearly 17 bulldozers were deployed, around 150 people assembled near the mosque. The situation escalated rapidly, leading to stone-pelting and the breaking of police barricades.An FIR states that police teams reached the spot around 12.40 am and imposed BNSS Section 163, announcing restrictions through a megaphone and asking the crowd to disperse. The orders were allegedly ignored. During the chaos, one individual reportedly snatched and damaged the megaphone.
Police said CCTV cameras, body-worn cameras and drone footage were scanned to identify those involved. Five accused, Kashif, Mohd Kaif, Mohammad Areeb, Adnan and Sameer, residents of Chandni Mahal and Daryaganj, have been arrested for pelting stones at police and security personnel.
Authorities are continuing to analyse footage to identify more suspects and determine whether the violence was spontaneous or orchestrated.
