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Violence in Delhi due to false rumour of mosque demolition; 11 arrested, social media influencers under investigation
Delhi, January 8, 2026: Severe violence erupted in the Turkman Gate area due to false rumours that a mosque was being demolished during a municipal anti-encroachment drive. Police and municipal employees were attacked with stones and glass bottles during the incident. Delhi Police have so far arrested 11 people in connection with the case, and an investigation into social media influencers is underway.
In the early hours of Tuesday and Wednesday, the municipal corporation conducted an anti-encroachment drive near the Faiz-e-Ilahi mosque near Ramlila Maidan. Encroachments on approximately 36,000 square feet of land were removed. However, a rumour was spread on social media that the mosque was being demolished. This led to a mob of 150 to 200 people gathering and attacking the police. Five police officers, including a Station House Officer, were injured in the attack.
On Thursday, police arrested six more accused, including Afaan, Adil, Shahnawaz, Hamza, Athar, and Ubaid. The court remanded them to 14 days of judicial custody. A minor was also apprehended.
The police investigation involves examining CCTV footage, drone footage, bodycam recordings, and 450 social media videos. It has been revealed that the rumours were spread through 4 to 5 WhatsApp groups and by 10 influencers. Currently, 30 people are under police surveillance.
The municipal corporation clarified that the action was only taken against a diagnostic center, a banquet hall, and boundary walls. The mosque itself was not touched. Additional police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in the area, and the situation is peaceful. Additional Commissioner of Police Nithin Valsan is monitoring the situation.
Delhi, January 8, 2026: Severe violence erupted in the Turkman Gate area due to false rumours that a mosque was being demolished during a municipal anti-encroachment drive. Police and municipal employees were attacked with stones and glass bottles during the incident. Delhi Police have so far arrested 11 people in connection with the case, and an investigation into social media influencers is underway.
In the early hours of Tuesday and Wednesday, the municipal corporation conducted an anti-encroachment drive near the Faiz-e-Ilahi mosque near Ramlila Maidan. Encroachments on approximately 36,000 square feet of land were removed. However, a rumour was spread on social media that the mosque was being demolished. This led to a mob of 150 to 200 people gathering and attacking the police. Five police officers, including a Station House Officer, were injured in the attack.
On Thursday, police arrested six more accused, including Afaan, Adil, Shahnawaz, Hamza, Athar, and Ubaid. The court remanded them to 14 days of judicial custody. A minor was also apprehended.
The police investigation involves examining CCTV footage, drone footage, bodycam recordings, and 450 social media videos. It has been revealed that the rumours were spread through 4 to 5 WhatsApp groups and by 10 influencers. Currently, 30 people are under police surveillance.
The municipal corporation clarified that the action was only taken against a diagnostic center, a banquet hall, and boundary walls. The mosque itself was not touched. Additional police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in the area, and the situation is peaceful. Additional Commissioner of Police Nithin Valsan is monitoring the situation.
In the early hours of Tuesday and Wednesday, the municipal corporation conducted an anti-encroachment drive near the Faiz-e-Ilahi mosque near Ramlila Maidan. Encroachments on approximately 36,000 square feet of land were removed. However, a rumour was spread on social media that the mosque was being demolished. This led to a mob of 150 to 200 people gathering and attacking the police. Five police officers, including a Station House Officer, were injured in the attack.
On Thursday, police arrested six more accused, including Afaan, Adil, Shahnawaz, Hamza, Athar, and Ubaid. The court remanded them to 14 days of judicial custody. A minor was also apprehended.
The police investigation involves examining CCTV footage, drone footage, bodycam recordings, and 450 social media videos. It has been revealed that the rumours were spread through 4 to 5 WhatsApp groups and by 10 influencers. Currently, 30 people are under police surveillance.
The municipal corporation clarified that the action was only taken against a diagnostic center, a banquet hall, and boundary walls. The mosque itself was not touched. Additional police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in the area, and the situation is peaceful. Additional Commissioner of Police Nithin Valsan is monitoring the situation.
