NEW DELHI: Two more people were arrested on Friday in connection with the stone-pelting incident near the Faiz-e-Elahi Mosque in central Delhi, taking the total number of arrests to 18.The latest arrests are Fahim alias Sanu (30) and Mohammad Sehzad (29), residents of Turkman Gate and Chandni Mahal, respectively. Police said both were involved in the stone-pelting.
Earlier, police had arrested three others — Mohammad Naved (44), Mohammad Faiz (20) and Mohammad Ubaidullah (23), all residents of Turkman Gate. Officials said more than 20 suspects are still being traced.Police have also issued summonses to around 10 social media influencers, including several women, for allegedly sharing reels and posts suggesting that a religious structure was being targeted.Following the incident, Delhi Police imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the area around the Faiz-e-Elahi Mosque, restricting public gatherings and appealing to people to offer prayers at home as a precaution.Police said they have identified 30 individuals involved in the violence using CCTV footage and videos circulating on social media, and raids are underway at multiple locations to arrest the remaining suspects.The violence erupted during a Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) demolition drive on January 7 to remove illegal encroachments near the Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid at Turkman Gate, close to Ramlila Maidan. The action was carried out following a Delhi High Court order, according to police.During the drive, a group of 25–30 people allegedly pelted stones at police and MCD teams after officials arrived with earthmovers. Five police personnel sustained minor injuries and were treated at a nearby hospital, Central District DCP Nidhin Valsan said.Police said prior coordination meetings were held with the Aman Committee and local stakeholders to maintain peace. However, a “few miscreants” attempted to disrupt the operation, and the situation was brought under control using “measured and minimal force,” Central Range Joint Commissioner of Police Madhur Verma said.
