Who Are the Six New Arrests in the Turkman Gate Violence Case?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Jan 8 (NationPress) The Delhi Police made further progress on Thursday by apprehending an additional six individuals linked to the violent incidents that transpired during the municipal corporation's demolition operation near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in the Turkman Gate area.
This brings the total number of arrests in this case to 11.
On the previous day, the police had detained five individuals connected to the stone-pelting incident that occurred during the demolition drive close to the mosque.
Earlier in the day, the Delhi Police announced that they had identified 30 individuals involved in the violence, utilizing CCTV footage, recordings from police body cameras, and various viral videos from the scene.
Authorities indicated that they would soon issue a summons to Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi to participate in the investigation, as he was reportedly present at the location just before the violence erupted.
According to the Delhi Police, senior officials had advised the MP to keep his distance from the area, yet he remained nearby prior to the incident.
The police have also intensified their search for YouTuber Salman, who is suspected of trying to incite unrest through social media. He allegedly urged locals to gather at the site during the demolition.
The investigation has uncovered that certain influential figures in the area purportedly incited residents to gather via their respective WhatsApp groups, aiming to create disorder and obstruct the efforts of both the administration and law enforcement during the operation.
The FIR, obtained by IANS, details the chain of events, starting from the police barricading the encroached land, followed by inflammatory slogans from a group of locals, leading to stone-throwing at police officers who were attempting to explain that the demolition target was only illegal constructions and that the adjacent mosque would remain unharmed.
The unrest reportedly began at 12:40 a.m., when police initiated barricading. A crowd of approximately 30-35 people gathered and began shouting slogans, obstructing the police efforts.
Despite being instructed to disperse due to the enforcement of Section 163 (which applies to cases of nuisance or potential danger) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the crowd grew more aggressive, escalating their slogans and launching stones at the police.
Videos of the stone-pelting incident and the mob damaging barricades circulated on social media, provoking outrage among some netizens regarding the direct assault on law enforcement officers.
The FIR has been filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 221 (obstructing a public servant in the discharge of public functions), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant), 121 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant), 191 (rioting), 223 (A) (disobedience to duly promulgated orders), and 3(5) (joint liability), along with provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.