Turkman Gate Violence: 11 Arrested as Delhi Police Probe Role of Influencers and Misinformation

The Delhi Police have expanded their investigation into the violence that erupted during an anti-encroachment drive in central Delhi’s Turkman Gate, arresting 11 people and identifying multiple social media influencers accused of spreading misleading information.

The incident occurred during a court-mandated operation carried out by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on land adjacent to the Faiz-e-Elahi Mosque and a nearby graveyard. Authorities said false claims circulated online alleging that a mosque was being demolished triggered panic and led to stone-pelting and clashes with police personnel and civic staff.

On Thursday, six additional suspects were taken into custody, taking the total number of arrests to 11, including one juvenile. Several of the accused are residents of the Turkman Gate area. Five men arrested earlier have been sent to judicial custody.

Investigators said at least 10 social media influencers have been identified for allegedly amplifying unverified claims related to the drive. A woman influencer has been summoned after a video she shared was flagged for spreading incorrect information about the demolition of a religious structure. Police said the claim was found to be false during preliminary verification.

Senior officials noted that misleading posts, videos and audio messages circulated through WhatsApp groups played a significant role in mobilising crowds. More than 200 people reportedly gathered after rumours spread, eventually attacking police personnel and municipal workers with stones and bottles.

The violence left at least five police officers injured, including the local station house officer. Authorities reiterated that no religious structure was demolished and that the action was conducted strictly in line with a court directive.

The anti-encroachment drive involved the removal of unauthorised constructions, including a banquet hall, a diagnostics facility, and portions of a road, footpath and parking area in the vicinity of the mosque complex.

Meanwhile, Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh said a detailed survey would soon be conducted in areas around Jama Masjid to identify encroachments. He added that debris clearance at the Turkman Gate site is underway and is expected to be completed within a few days.

Local residents have disputed the police version of events, claiming that force was used to disperse protesters and that stone-pelting followed police action. The investigation remains ongoing.