On April 16, nine policemen and a local resident were injured in the Jahangirpuri clash. (Image: Shahbaz Khan/PTI/FILE)
Three main accused in the case have been arrested, while Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana said action will be taken against those spreading misinformation on social media.
Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to top officials of Delhi Police regarding the Jahangirpuri violence case and directed the force to take strict action, so as to avoid a recurrence of riots in the northeastern part of the city in 2020. Meanwhile, the police booked the organisers. On taking out Hanuman Jayanti procession without permission in Jahangirpuri area.
Three main accused, including a man who allegedly opened fire during the clashes, have been arrested, while Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana said those spreading misinformation on social media will face legal action. The top cop also said that it would not be right to discuss the matter before the completion of the investigation, but confirmed that there was a dispute between the two groups.
Eight police personnel and a local person were injured in stone-pelting and arson in the clashes that took place on April 16. Asthana said 23 people from two different communities have been arrested so far.
Recalling the incident, the Delhi CP said that at around 4.15 pm, a procession had started on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti and the route taken was traditional. He said that at around 6.15 pm, some people involved in the procession stopped after a heated argument, after which stones were pelted. “We have registered a case and 23 people from both the communities have been arrested so far. Eight of them have previous criminal records,” Asthana said, adding that three firearms and five swords have also been seized from the accused.
Here are the top updates on the matter:
- Amit Shah directs strict action against criminals
Home Minister Amit Shah has directed Delhi Police to take strictest action against the accused. He gave clear instructions to the officers that the action taken should be exemplary so that the recurrence of riots in Northeast Delhi in 2020 can be avoided. - Hanuman Jayanti Procession Organizer Book
An FIR has been registered against the organizers of the procession in Jahangirpuri for taking out the rally without permission. Deputy Commissioner of Police (North West Delhi) Usha Rangnani said an FIR was registered against the organizers of the rally under IPC section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and one of them had joined the investigation. The DCP said that two other processions taken out in the morning and afternoon on Saturday had received due permission. Earlier, the DCP had sent an official message, stating that a case has been registered against the members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal for taking out a religious procession without permission. It also said that local VHP leader Prem Sharma was arrested. However, the statement was later withdrawn. The VHP and Bajrang Dal are also not named in the revised statement issued by the police. - Man who opened fire during clashes arrested
Delhi Police arrested a 28-year-old man who was seen firing during the clash. Identified as Sonu aka Imam aka Yunus, he was seen wearing a blue shirt in a viral video. Sonu, a resident of Jahangirpuri’s C-Block, was absconding after the incident. “A video was being circulated on social media platforms on Sunday, which showed a man in a blue shirt setting ablaze during the riots in Jahangirpuri. Deputy Commissioner of Police (North West) Usha Rangnani said that she was apprehended by the special staff of North West district. - Main accused’s custody extended for two days
The Rohini court on Monday extended the police custody of the main accused Ansar and Aslam by two more days after they were produced before the court. Four more accused were also produced, who have been sent to judicial custody for 14 days. - Crime branch team attacked with bricks
Bricks were allegedly thrown at the Crime Branch team of Delhi Police probing the case. The family members of one of the accused Sonu threw bricks at the police team to arrest him. But, the police denied any fresh incidents of stone-pelting, as reported by some media, and said it was a “minor, one-time incident”. After this one person was taken into custody. - 23 people arrested, police said – no bid to hoist saffron flag on mosque
Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana said 23 people from two different communities have been arrested so far in connection with the Jahangirpuri violence, and refuted claims that there was an attempt to hoist saffron flags at a mosque during the Hanuman Jayanti procession. it was done. During a media briefing, Asthana said those involved will not be spared irrespective of class, creed or religion. “No, no attempt was made to hoist the saffron flag in the mosque during the procession,” Asthana said. Several politicians and social media users had alleged that some people tried to hoist the flag at a mosque in Jahangirpuri, leading to stone pelting and violence. - 14 teams of police formed, monitoring is being done on social media
Asthana said the investigation has been handed over to the crime branch and 14 teams have been formed to take it forward, four forensic teams also visited the spot. The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Special Cell of Delhi Police has been entrusted with the responsibility of identifying the people involved in the case by conducting a thorough and detailed analysis of the digital evidence, and taking legal action accordingly. “We are analyzing social media and if required, tweeters with intent to spread false news, misinformation or cause damage to the environment will not be spared and legal action will be taken against them,” he said. - Police held peace committee meeting
The police have also held meetings with peace committees and are trying to restore peace in the sensitive areas. Asthana said that the meetings of the peace committee were held earlier also and such meetings will continue to avoid any disturbance from the miscreants who usually take part in such activities to disturb the harmony. - Heavy deployment of police to avoid untoward incident
A large number of security personnel, including anti-riot forces, have been deployed in the violence-hit areas. A senior police officer said that over 500 personnel and six companies of additional force have been deployed round the clock. A total of 80 tear gas guns and water cannons have been deployed. Drones are also being used for rooftop surveillance in sensitive areas. Asthana said, “We have deployed sufficient force not only in Jahangirpuri, but also in other areas. We will use technology for surveillance and are monitoring the situation to ensure that there is no untoward incident in future.” He said that this process will continue till the situation normalises in sensitive areas including Jahangirpuri. - Delhi’s top cop meets injured constable
Asthana also met Sub-Inspector Meda Lal, who was injured during the communal violence in Jahangirpuri, and assured him that the department would provide all possible assistance to him. The police commissioner inquired about Lal’s well being and told him that the entire force was proud of his courage and sense of duty. During the clash, Lal got shot.
(with PTI inputs)
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