On 16 April 2022, a Hanuman Jayanti procession in Jahangirpuri, north-west Delhi, ended in stone-pelting and gunfire outside a C Block mosque, injuring eight police personnel and a resident. Police admitted the procession had no permission and booked five accused under the National Security Act. On 20 April civic bulldozers razed structures in the area, continuing for over an hour after the Supreme Court ordered status quo.
Key takeaways
- Clashes broke out at about 6 pm on 16 April 2022 at the C Block mosque in Jahangirpuri; police say eight police personnel and a resident were injured.
- Police admitted the procession had no permission, booked its organisers and invoked the NSA against five accused.
- The North Delhi Municipal Corporation's demolition drive on 20 April 2022 continued for over an hour after the Supreme Court ordered status quo.
- The 2022 chargesheet named 37 arrested and 8 absconding accused; no trial verdict had been reported by October 2026.
Background: three processions in one day
Three Hanuman Jayanti processions passed through Jahangirpuri, a working-class colony with a large Muslim population, on 16 April 2022, during Ramzan. Residents said the first two passed peacefully PTI via Deccan Herald. Police later said those two had permission and the third, in the evening, did not Deccan Herald.
What happened on 16 April
Clash at the mosque
Police spokesperson Anyesh Roy said a clash broke out near Kushal Cinema and stones were pelted; vehicles were torched PTI via Business Today.
Gunfire
Sub-Inspector Medhalal said that after police separated the groups, people at C Block pelted stones and "one of them... opened fire on our side", hitting him PTI via Outlook. Police said eight rounds were fired Tribune.
Injury count
Early PTI reports cited "around 5-6 police personnel and a couple of civilians" injured PTI. DCP Usha Rangnani later put it at nine: eight police officers and one civilian Scroll.
The police account and the FIR
Police's position The FIR, filed by a police officer, says the procession was peaceful until it reached the mosque, when "one Ansar along with 4-5 people started quarreling". That "led to commotion with people from both sides pelting stones at each other" Scroll. Police separated the groups, clashes resumed, and 40 to 50 tear gas shells were used Scroll.
The FIR invoked rioting, attempt to murder, conspiracy and the Arms Act LiveLaw. Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana said those arrested were "from both communities" and that action would be taken "irrespective of their class, creed, community and religion" PTI via Madhyamam. He denied claims that anyone tried to hoist a saffron flag at the mosque PTI via Outlook.
Officers told PTI the argument began when people at the mosque asked for the volume to be lowered during the azaan and marchers responded with slogans. They said weapons were recovered "from both groups" PTI via Madhyamam.
The permission question
Documented On 18 April police registered a second case, under IPC Section 188, against the procession's organisers, and moved the main case to the Crime Branch India Legal. An officer said: "They just had submitted an application to the police station and we had not given any permission but still they took out a procession" PTI via Madhyamam.
The first police statement named "organisers of VHP, Bajrang Dal" and said a local VHP office-bearer had been arrested. Within hours police reissued it without naming the outfits, saying only that "one accused person has joined the investigation" Deccan Herald. Police said the offence is bailable. Claim · VHP The VHP warned of a "battle" if its activists were acted against Madhyamam.
On 7 May 2022, denying bail to eight accused, Additional Sessions Judge Gagandeep Singh noted the State "fairly admitted" the procession was "illegal", yet local police escorted it instead of stopping it. He called this "utter failure" and said police complicity, "if any", must be investigated LiveLaw Deccan Herald.
Both accounts
Residents' and civil rights account
Claim · Residents Residents told PTI the third procession was large, with people brandishing weapons; one said he saw only two policemen with it. Another said violence began after he heard shouts that people were "entering the mosque" PTI via Deccan Herald. A Left parties' fact-finding team said locals described the procession stopping at the mosque at prayer time and raising its music, and that arms were "later brought by some elements in the minority community" too Deccan Herald.
Procession participants' and police account
Claim · Participants A participant said the procession was peaceful until stones were thrown and they retaliated Scroll; the VHP said people with sticks attacked it PTI via Deccan Herald. Police's position Police say a group at C Block started the stone-pelting and fired at officers PTI via Outlook.
Arrests and the NSA
Arrest counts rose quickly: 20 plus two juveniles on 17 April, all Muslim, with three firearms and five swords recovered, per Scroll citing police Scroll; 23 "from both communities" on 18 April, per Commissioner Asthana PTI via Outlook; and 30, including three juveniles, by 28 April PTI via Deccan Herald. The civil liberties group PUDR counted 44 arrests by April 2023 PUDR.
On 19 April, after sending a preliminary report to the Home Ministry Tribune, police invoked the NSA against Ansar, Sonu alias Imam Sheikh, Salim, Dilshad and Ahir. Police called Ansar the "main conspirator" and said Sonu was seen in a video opening fire PTI via TNM. The law allows detention for up to 12 months without trial Scroll.
The political fight
Claim · BJP BJP leaders Kapil Mishra and Praveen Shankar Kapoor alleged illegal Bangladeshi migrants were behind the violence; MP Manoj Tiwari called it "part of a big conspiracy" PTI. BJP leaders said Ansar was an AAP worker PTI via Deccan Herald; AAP said he was a BJP leader Scroll.
Claim · AAP Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Raghav Chadha and Atishi accused the BJP of settling Bangladeshis and Rohingyas to stage riots and said bulldozers should be sent to BJP headquarters Deccan Herald.
Claim · Congress Rahul Gandhi called the demolitions "a demolition of India's constitutional values" and "state-sponsored targeting of poor and minorities" Deccan Herald.
The 20 April demolition drive
On 19 April, Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta wrote to North MCD Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh asking for the "illegal encroachment" of those arrested to be identified and demolished The Quint. The civic body asked police for 400 personnel for drives on 20 and 21 April Deccan Herald.
Civic body's position Singh said the drive removed "illegal buildings that have encroached onto the roads" and had nothing to do with the violence, though some shops belonged to riot accused Al Jazeera. In court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said footpath clearance in Jahangirpuri began on 19 January and 19 April was the fifth date IANS via Ummid.
From about 9 or 10 am, nine bulldozers razed shops, homes and the mosque's entrance gate Scroll. A shopkeeper told Scroll he got no notice Scroll.
The status quo order and Brinda Karat
That morning, on a Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind petition mentioned by Dushyant Dave, a bench led by Chief Justice N V Ramana ordered status quo LiveLaw. When told the drive was continuing, the CJI asked staff to convey the order to the mayor, the commissioner and the Delhi Police Scroll.
Bulldozers kept working for over an hour, about 90 minutes by one count Deccan Herald. Civic body's position An NDMC official said this was because no written order had arrived, and the drive stopped once it did PTI via Tribune.
CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat went to C Block. Her lawyer later told the court "she had to physically stand to stop the process" PTI via Kashmir Reader. She told reporters the drive stopped after she brought an electronic copy of the order Scroll.
The law and the constitution have been bulldozed by illegal demolitions. At least the Supreme Court and its order should not be bulldozed.
Brinda Karat, Jahangirpuri, 20 April 2022 (ANI via Scroll)
Her petition called the drive "a communal political game plan" and sought compensation LiveLaw.
The 21 April hearing and after
Justices L Nageswara Rao and B R Gavai extended status quo, issued notice and said: "We will take a serious view of the demolition which was carried out even after Supreme Court orders, even after NDMC Mayor was informed." They declined a nationwide stay: "We are not staying demolitions in this country" PTI via Kashmir Reader.
The Jamiat petition against the NDMC (WP(C) 295/2022) stayed pending. In it, on 17 September 2024, the court barred demolitions nationwide without its leave, public encroachments excepted SC order. On 13 November 2024, ruling on the Jamiat-led batch, Justices Gavai and K V Viswanathan made a show cause notice of at least 15 days mandatory before demolitions, with officials personally liable for restitution if they breach it PTI via Deccan Herald ETV Bharat.
The chargesheet
The Crime Branch filed a 2,063-page chargesheet in Rohini court on 14 July 2022. It named 37 arrested and 8 absconding accused and listed 9 firearms and 9 swords recovered PTI via Madhyamam.
Police's position Police said the violence was "in continuation of the protests against CAA & NRC" and the 2020 riots PTI via Madhyamam. The chargesheet names Tabrez Ansari and Ishrafil as main conspirators The Quint. It says some marchers "were holding firearms, swords, sticks", but the procession was peaceful until "confronted and attacked" The Quint. Of the 37, 31 were Muslim and 6 Hindu The Quint.
Claim · Defence, PUDR A defence lawyer called it "a false case" Sabrang. PUDR said only Muslim accused faced conspiracy and attempt-to-murder charges PUDR.
Bail and trial status
The case reached a Rohini sessions court in August 2022 PTI via ETV Bharat. Ansar got bail on 4 November 2022; the court said "it will take a long time to conclude the trial", with the case against about 50 accused at the framing-of-charges stage ANI. By April 2023, PUDR said all but one of 44 arrested had bail and five supplementary chargesheets had been filed PUDR.
Police refused permission for a VHP Hanuman Jayanti procession in Jahangirpuri in April 2025, citing "sensitivity" PTI via Deccan Herald. The Delhi High Court said the 2022 incident "cannot necessarily preclude" processions and asked police to decide afresh Verdictum.
Outcome
- Deaths: None reported.
- Injuries: 8 police personnel and 1 resident, per police; one sub-inspector shot.
- Arrests: 20 on 17 April, 30 by 28 April 2022; 44 by April 2023, per PUDR.
- NSA: Invoked against five accused.
- Demolitions: Shops, homes and a mosque gate razed on 20 April 2022.
- Supreme Court: Status quo on 20-21 April 2022; nationwide demolition guidelines on 13 November 2024.
- Trial: No verdict reported as of October 2026.
What is still pending
No framing of charges or verdict was reported up to October 2026, nor any outcome of the call to probe police complicity or of the Supreme Court's "serious view" of the post-order demolitions.
Questions people ask
What happened in Jahangirpuri on 16 April 2022?
A Hanuman Jayanti procession clashed with residents outside the C Block mosque. Police say stones and shots injured eight police personnel and a resident.
Did the Jahangirpuri procession have permission?
No. Police admitted it and booked the organisers. A Rohini court said police failed by escorting it instead of stopping it.
Who was booked under the NSA for Jahangirpuri?
Ansar, Sonu alias Imam Sheikh, Salim, Dilshad and Ahir.
What did Brinda Karat do in Jahangirpuri?
She went to the site on 20 April 2022 with the Supreme Court's order and later petitioned the court for compensation.
What is the status of the Jahangirpuri case?
By April 2023 almost all accused had bail. No verdict had been reported by October 2026.
Sources
- Scroll: Delhi: 20 arrested after violence breaks out during Hanuman Jayanti procession, 17 Apr 2022
- PTI via Business Today: Clashes during Hanuman Jayanti procession, 6 policemen injured, 17 Apr 2022
- PTI via Outlook: 'They fired on us': what Delhi Police said, 17-18 Apr 2022
- PTI via Deccan Herald: Jahangirpuri residents recall night of violence, 17 Apr 2022
- Deccan Herald: Delhi police link VHP, Bajrang Dal to violence, soon retract statement, 18 Apr 2022
- PTI via Madhyamam: No permission to hold procession, Amit Shah seeks strict action, 18 Apr 2022
- Madhyamam: VHP warns Delhi Police against action on Jahangirpuri riot, 19 Apr 2022
- PTI via Deccan Herald: Delhi BJP takes aim at AAP, 18 Apr 2022
- Tribune: NSA slapped on 5 for Jahangirpuri violence, 19 Apr 2022
- PTI via The News Minute: NSA invoked against five accused, 20 Apr 2022
- Deccan Herald: BJP settling Bangladeshis, Rohingyas to stage riots: AAP, 20 Apr 2022
- The Quint: Mosque gate, shops razed in Jahangirpuri, 20 Apr 2022
- Scroll: Demolition drive stops over an hour after Supreme Court stay, 20 Apr 2022
- Deccan Herald: 'Bulldozing' halts in Jahangirpuri hours after SC order, 20 Apr 2022
- PTI via Tribune: NDMC stops anti-encroachment drive following SC order, 20 Apr 2022
- Al Jazeera: India top court halts demolition drive in violence-hit Delhi area, 20 Apr 2022
- LiveLaw: Brinda Karat moves Supreme Court against Jahangirpuri demolitions, 21 Apr 2022
- PTI via Kashmir Reader: Status quo to be maintained till further orders, 21 Apr 2022
- IANS via Ummid: SC extends status quo order on demolitions in Jahangirpuri, 21 Apr 2022
- Scroll: Court extends police custody of five accused by eight days, 23 Apr 2022
- PTI via Deccan Herald: 3 more arrested, one from West Bengal, 28 Apr 2022
- LiveLaw: Delhi court denies bail to 8 men, says local police failed to stop procession, May 2022
- Deccan Herald: Court questions cops' failure in Jahangirpuri riots, seeks probe, 8 May 2022
- PTI via Madhyamam: Delhi Police files charge sheet against 45 people, 14 Jul 2022
- India Legal: Delhi Police files chargesheet in Rohini court, Jul 2022
- The Quint: Jahangirpuri accused 'took advantage of Ramadan', chargesheet alleges, Aug 2022
- Sabrang: Delhi Police confirm Shobha Yatris were armed, Aug 2022
- PTI via ETV Bharat: Jahangirpuri violence case assigned to sessions court, 27 Aug 2022
- ANI: Court grants bail to main accused Ansar after 7 months in custody, 4 Nov 2022
- PUDR: Probing the Jahangirpuri communal incident, Delhi, 2022, 17 Apr 2023
- Supreme Court: Jamiat Ulama I Hind v North Delhi Municipal Corporation, order of 17 Sept 2024
- ETV Bharat: SC to pronounce verdict on pleas against bulldozer justice, 12 Nov 2024
- PTI via Deccan Herald: SC lays down guidelines, no demolition without 15 days' notice, 13 Nov 2024
- PTI via Deccan Herald: VHP denied permission for Hanuman Jayanti procession in Jahangirpuri, 12 Apr 2025
- Verdictum: Delhi High Court asks police to decide on Hanuman Jayanti procession in Jahangirpuri, Apr 2025