Delhi Encroachment Drive Turns Violent as Mob Attacks Police, Six Officers Injured and 16 Arrested

Image: Jihad Watch

Violence erupted in Old Delhi in the early hours of January 7, 2026, after a court-ordered anti-encroachment drive spiralled into a major law-and-order crisis in the Turkman Gate area. What began as a routine enforcement operation by civic authorities soon escalated into a violent confrontation, as a large mob attacked police personnel and municipal officials during the demolition of illegal structures located adjacent to a mosque. Several police officers were injured in the clashes, prompting authorities to impose heightened security measures across parts of central Delhi.

The incident occurred against the backdrop of a similar episode in Chomu, Rajasthan, the previous month, raising fresh concerns over a recurring pattern in which lawful enforcement actions in densely populated Muslim localities are derailed by misinformation, rapid street mobilisation, and coordinated online narratives. In both cases, routine removal of illegal encroachments transformed into flashpoints following the spread of false claims and inflammatory messaging.

At Turkman Gate, civic authorities had identified extensive illegal encroachments on public land near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Masjid and the adjoining Ramlila Maidan area. The encroached area reportedly spanned between 36,000 and 38,940 square feet—nearly 0.9 acres—and included unauthorised commercial constructions such as a diagnostic centre, a banquet or marriage hall, boundary walls, and portions of public roads and footpaths. These structures had been built on land belonging to civic and public works departments, without legal ownership or statutory approvals. Acting on explicit directions from the Delhi High Court, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) scheduled a demolition drive to remove only these illegal extensions. Officials repeatedly clarified that the mosque structure itself was not part of the demolition plan and remained untouched throughout the operation.

The demolition teams, accompanied by a heavy police presence, moved into the area shortly after midnight. Despite prior notices and court backing, the arrival of heavy machinery in the densely populated neighbourhood triggered unrest. Tensions escalated rapidly as rumours began circulating that the mosque was being demolished—claims that authorities later described as entirely false.

According to police and multiple media reports, the gathering that followed was not spontaneous. Provocative audio messages, videos, and social media posts were circulated widely on WhatsApp and other platforms during the night, falsely asserting that the mosque was under attack. Several videos posted by local youths showed live streams from the site, accompanied by alarmist claims and calls urging people to assemble immediately. These videos spread quickly, drawing large numbers of people to the area within a short span of time.

Soon, an estimated 150 to 200 individuals had converged near the demolition site. While many remained on the outskirts, a smaller but aggressive group led the confrontation. Videos from the scene showed individuals chanting religious slogans while pelting police personnel and MCD staff with stones, bricks, and bottles. Barricades were damaged, and attempts were made to breach security cordons and forcibly halt the demolition. At least six police officers sustained serious injuries, including head wounds, during the attack.

As misinformation continued to spread, the situation deteriorated further, turning a legally sanctioned civic operation into a volatile and dangerous confrontation. To prevent further injuries and contain the violence, police used controlled force and temporarily halted the demolition. Additional security forces were rushed to the area, and by early morning, the crowd had largely dispersed, though tensions remained high in nearby localities.

Investigations later revealed that the spread of false claims was not limited to local networks. Social media pages and groups based outside India, including some operating from Bangladesh, were also found circulating misleading posts alleging that the mosque had been demolished. Drone footage released by authorities after the incident clearly showed the mosque standing intact, directly contradicting the claims that had fuelled the unrest.

Delhi Police registered multiple FIRs against unidentified individuals under serious sections of the law, including rioting, assault on public servants, destruction of public property, and attempted murder. Sixteen accused have so far been arrested, including Mohd Naved (44), Mohd Faiz (20), Mohd Ubaidullah (23), Mohd Arib (25), Mohd Kashif (25), Mohd Kaif (23), Mohd Adnan (37), Sameer Hussain (40), Mohd Athar (20), Shahnawaz Alam (55), Mohd Imran (28), Mohd Imran alias Raju (36), Mohd Affan (20), Mohd Adil (20), Mohd Aamir Hamza (22), and another accused named Mohd Ubaidullah (26). Police officials have stated that more arrests are likely, as additional suspects are being identified through CCTV footage, drone visuals, and videos posted on social media.

Authorities have also identified around ten social media influencers, including Aimen Rizvi, who are being questioned for allegedly circulating misleading and inflammatory content during the incident. Investigators are examining whether the digital mobilisation was spontaneous or part of a coordinated effort to obstruct the enforcement action.

In the aftermath, security has been significantly tightened across Turkman Gate and adjoining areas such as Chandni Mahal and Ballimaran. Prohibitory orders have been imposed to prevent large gatherings, and police deployment has been increased, particularly during Islamic prayer hours, to maintain peace and prevent further flare-ups.

The Turkman Gate violence underscores a troubling trend seen in several parts of the country, where attempts by authorities to remove illegal encroachments become flashpoints for unrest. Similar dynamics were evident in Chomu near Jaipur in late December, when police and civic teams removing unauthorised structures near the Kalandri Mosque were attacked following the spread of rumours. That incident also resulted in injuries to police personnel and forced the administration to deploy additional forces and temporarily suspend internet services.

Such episodes reveal a recurring pattern in which lawful administrative actions are met with organised resistance on the streets, often accompanied by parallel information campaigns online. These campaigns frequently frame enforcement measures as acts of communal targeting, distorting facts and inflaming public sentiment. Together, street-level violence and digital misinformation pose an increasingly serious challenge to governance, public safety, and the rule of law.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)