NEW DELHI: The demolition drive near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid in Turkman Gate resumed on Thursday, following the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s initial operation on January 6. Delhi Police have identified 30 people linked to the stone-pelting that occurred during the earlier anti-encroachment drive, which injured five police personnel. According to the police, they have identified them using CCTV footage and viral videos. Police teams are conducting raids to take them into custody.A heavy police deployment was in place in the area.In a related development, Delhi Police plan to summon Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi, who was present at the site before the violence, to join the ongoing investigation. Despite repeated requests from senior police officials, he remained in the vicinity during the incident.The incident took place during an anti-encroachment demolition drive by the MCD near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid, close to Ramlila Maidan, in accordance with Delhi High Court directives. Delhi Police said the demolition was carried out in the early hours of January 7, following multiple coordination meetings with the Aman Committee and other local stakeholders to ensure peace and prevent any untoward incidents.Meanwhile, the accused in the stone-pelting case were sent to one-day judicial custody, their lawyers said. Bail pleas have been filed, with hearings scheduled for Thursday.Delhi advocate M. Asad Beig, representing accused Kashif, Mohd Kaif, and Mohd Areeb, stated that the court granted one-day judicial custody after providing copies of the FIR to the defence.“After the judge’s order, we were given a copy of the FIR. We have subsequently filed a bail application. The judge has granted a one-day judicial custody. The bail application will be heard tomorrow in Tis Hazari Court,” Beig told ANI.“After the judge’s order, we were given a copy of the FIR. We have subsequently filed a bail application. The judge has granted a one-day judicial custody. The bail application will be heard tomorrow in Tis Hazari Court,” Beig added.Delhi Advocate Mohd Akif, who is representing the accused Sameer, echoed similar remarks, stating that the court has allowed one-day judicial custody. “The judge has given a one-day judicial custody. We have just received a copy of the FIR. We will see what to do next,” he said.Delhi Police have arrested five people in connection with the stone-pelting that erupted during an MCD anti-encroachment demolition drive near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid in Turkman Gate in the early hours of January 7.The arrested individuals have been identified as Kashif, Mohd Kaif, Mohd Areeb, Adnan, and Sameer.The demolition drive, conducted under Delhi High Court directions, took place near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid, close to Ramlila Maidan. Police said several coordination meetings were held with members of the Aman Committee and other local stakeholders in advance to ensure peace and prevent any untoward incidents.(With agency inputs)
