Delhi Police identifies 10 social media influencers over Turkman Gate violence, summons one
New Delhi (PTI): A female social media influencer has been summoned for questioning after Delhi Police identified 10 influencers who allegedly spread rumours that the Faiz-e-Elahi Mosque near Turkman Gate had been demolished during a court-ordered anti-encroachment drive.
The woman was summoned after social media monitoring teams of the police flagged a video in which she purportedly claimed that the mosque in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan had been razed, a senior police officer said on Thursday.
"Teams have identified at least 10 social media accounts, including one Salman, which were spreading rumours about the drive," he said, adding that the content being circulated was misleading and factually incorrect, triggering violence as many people pelted stones at police personnel.
"We have prepared a list of 10 influencers whose posts and videos are under scrutiny. We have more people under the radar. Our teams are analysing the content being circulated on social media, and these influencers will be questioned soon," the officer added.
Police said the woman has already been summoned after preliminary verification found her claims to be false and capable of creating fear and communal tension. The video, police said, was linked to misinformation surrounding a court-ordered anti-encroachment drive near the Faiz-e-Elahi Mosque area.
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"The video contained misleading claims related to the recent anti-encroachment drive. Such content has the potential to disturb public order and harmony," a police source said.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Central) Nidhin Valsan had clarified that he personally had a meeting with more than 120-130 Maulvis days before the demolition.
"I made them understand that no demolition will be done in the Mosque, and only the illegally encroached area will be demolished. We have even told them that they can appeal against the court order," he said.
Another officer said that their social media teams are keeping a strict vigil on all platforms and closely monitoring the content being circulated. "Misinformation will not be tolerated, and those found spreading such content will be summoned," the officer said.
He said that strict action would be taken against anyone attempting to disturb public order by circulating rumours or misleading information. "No one will be spared if they are found trying to create panic or communal tension through false narratives," the officer said.
Police also appealed to the public to rely only on verified information and to refrain from forwarding unverified posts on social media platforms. "People are requested not to believe or share unverified content. Any attempt to mislead the public will invite legal action," the officer said.
So far, 10 people have been arrested and a juvenile apprehended for the violence. All are residents of the Turkman Gate area, police said.
Trouble began after social media posts falsely claimed that the mosque opposite Turkman Gate was being demolished, prompting more than 200 people to gather and later pelt stones and bottles at police personnel and civic body workers.
Officers have repeatedly clarified that the mosque was not damaged during the drive and that only illegal encroachments were cleared, including a diagnostic centre, a banquet hall and boundary walls.
The Additional CP Valsan earlier in the day said that adequate deployment of police and paramilitary forces has been made in the area to maintain law and order and that the situation is being closely monitored.
Police said they will continue monitoring social media platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation and maintain peace in the area.
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Naval information leak case: Fourth accused held
Udupi (Karnataka) (PTI): The Udupi police have arrested another accused in a case involving the alleged transmission of confidential information related to the Indian Navy to Pakistan, taking the total number of arrests to four, officials said on Thursday.
The arrested accused has been identified as Alif Islam (21), a native of West Bengal, who was presently residing at Marayur village in Idukki district of Kerala, they said.
He was apprehended in connection with the alleged leak of a confidential list containing identification numbers of Indian naval vessels, police said.
According to investigators, the accused are suspected to have shared sensitive information through WhatsApp and Facebook with contacts in Pakistan without authorisation.
The case was registered at Malpe police station in 2025 following a complaint regarding the alleged illegal transmission of naval-related data, officials said.
Police said the investigation pertains to the alleged sharing of a classified list of ship numbers linked to the Indian Navy.
In November 2025, two accused -- Rohit and Santri from Uttar Pradesh -- were taken into custody in connection with the same case. Later, Hirendra Kumar from Gujarat was arrested in December 2025.
With the latest arrest, the number of persons held in the case has risen to four.
Police said one more accused is yet to be apprehended. The operator of the Facebook page allegedly used to transmit the information also remains at large.
Investigators suspect that Islam may be a Bangladeshi national, and efforts are on to verify his citizenship and other credentials.
Further investigation is under way, police added.
