Police trace mosque demolition rumours to WhatsApp groups as investigation widens after stone-pelting incident
Heavy police deployment during the MCD anti-encroachment drive near Turkman Gate in New Delhi (Photo: File)
NEW DELHI: Misleading messages circulated on multiple WhatsApp groups played a key role in spreading rumours about the alleged demolition of the Faize-Elahi Mosque near Turkman Gate, triggering tension ahead of a court-mandated anti-encroachment drive, Delhi Police officials said. The misinformation, mostly in the form of voice notes, falsely claimed that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was demolishing the mosque.
Police said the messages were shared widely in community, religious and neighbourhood groups, some of which were already under police surveillance. Four to five groups that showed an aggressive or provocative tone were placed under close watch. Investigators noted that no new WhatsApp groups were created immediately before the incident, a factor now being analysed to determine whether the spread of misinformation was pre-planned.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police have arrested three more people in connection with the stone-pelting incident that followed the MCD demolition drive near the mosque earlier this week. With these arrests, the total number of people in custody has risen to 16. The latest arrested include Mohd. Naved, Mohd. Faiz and Mohd. Ubaidullah. Police said around 30 people have been identified so far for their alleged involvement in the violence. Several teams are conducting raids at multiple locations to arrest the remaining suspects.
The accused were identified using CCTV footage from the area and videos that circulated widely on social media. Police are also analysing body-worn camera footage of officers deployed during the operation. One recording shows the initial phase of the demolition before stone-pelting began, while additional footage is being reviewed to identify rioters.
In another development, Delhi Police are preparing to summon Samajwadi Party MP Mohibhullah Nadvi to cooperate with the investigation. Police sources said Nadvi was present at the site shortly before the violence erupted and remained there despite repeated requests by senior officers to leave.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range) Madhur Verma said elaborate law-and-order arrangements were made for the demolition drive. The area was divided into nine zones, each supervised by an Additional DCP-rank officer, with adequate deployment at sensitive points. He said meetings were held in advance with the Aman Committee and local stakeholders to ensure peace. Despite these measures, a few miscreants resorted to stone-pelting, but the situation was brought under control with minimal force.
The demolition drive near Turkman Gate, close to Ramlila Maidan, was carried out in the early hours of January 7 in compliance with Delhi High Court directions. Police said the operation was preceded by several coordination meetings to prevent any law and order situation.
On Friday, Tis Hazari court sent eight accused to judicial custody till January 21. The accused Imran Farrukh, Imran Sultan, Mohd. Affan, Amir Hamza, Mohd. Ubaidullah, Shahnawaz, Mohd. Athar and Mohd. Adil were produced before Judicial Magistrate First Class Sayesha Chaddha, who granted police's request citing the need for further investigation.
According to the MCD, the action was taken after complaints of large-scale encroachment and illegal commercial activity at Ramlila Maidan. As the licensee of the land under the Land & Development Office (L&DO), the MCD initiated proceedings against unauthorised occupation. A joint survey by the MCD, L&DO and the Delhi Development Authority found encroachments over about 36,428 square feet, including a banquet hall, a diagnostic centre, other commercial establishments, and illegal use of roads and footpaths.
Acting on a writ petition, the Delhi High Court on November 12, 2025, directed the MCD to clear the encroachments within three months. After hearings in November and December, the civic body concluded that a 1940 lease covered only 0.195 acre, with no proof of rights beyond it. The MCD passed a final order on December 22 and carried out the removal drive on January 7, clearing all unauthorised structures except the leased land.
