Tensions flared in the early hours of Wednesday in Old Delhi's Turkman Gate area when a Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) anti-encroachment operation near the Syed Faiz Elahi Mosque turned violent, resulting in injuries to at least five police officers. The drive, aimed at clearing unauthorised structures adjoining the mosque and a nearby graveyard near Ramlila Maidan, was carried out under directives from the Delhi High Court. Eyewitness accounts and circulating videos depict bulldozers razing buildings amid chaotic scenes of protests and confrontations.
The operation began around midnight, involving approximately 300 MCD officials, workers, and heavy security deployment, including police and paramilitary forces. Multiple earthmovers - reports suggest between 10 and 17 bulldozers - were used to demolish alleged illegal encroachments, such as a banquet hall, dispensary, parking areas, and portions of roads and footpaths. These structures occupied about 38,940 square feet of public land, as identified in a multi-agency survey last October. The High Court's November 2025 order granted MCD and the Public Works Department three months to execute the removal, emphasising the need to reclaim public spaces.
As the demolition progressed, local residents gathered in protest, leading to clashes. Protesters reportedly pelted stones at law enforcement personnel, prompting police to respond with tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Officials described the violence as instigated by "a few miscreants" attempting to disrupt the lawful action. No major injuries were reported among civilians, but five police personnel sustained minor wounds and received medical attention. Around 10 individuals were detained for questioning, and authorities have registered cases under relevant sections for obstructing public servants and assault.
In an official statement, Madhur Verma, Joint Commissioner of Police for the Central Range, clarified the sequence of events: "Pursuant to the directions of the Hon’ High Court of Delhi, the MCD carried out a demolition drive at the encroached area in the vicinity of Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid, Turkman Gate, near Ramlila Maidan, in the early morning hours of January 7. During the course of the demolition, a few miscreants attempted to create a disturbance by indulging in stone pelting. The situation was promptly brought under control through measured and minimal use of force, ensuring that normalcy was restored without escalation." Verma emphasised that the mosque itself remained untouched, and the drive targeted only verified encroachments.
Videos of the incident have gone viral on social media platforms, showing bulldozers toppling structures under floodlights, crowds chanting slogans, and police forming barricades. One clip captures earthmovers in action amid shouts and smoke from tear gas, while another shows sealed roads and traffic diversions implemented by Delhi Traffic Police to maintain order. Security remains heightened in the area, with additional forces patrolling to prevent further unrest.
The demolition comes a day after the High Court issued notices to the Ministry of Urban Development, MCD, and Delhi Waqf Board in response to a petition by the mosque's managing committee challenging the encroachment removal order. Community leaders have expressed concerns over the timing and manner of the drive, calling it abrupt and potentially inflammatory, while officials maintain it was essential to comply with judicial timelines.
By dawn calm had returned to Turkman Gate, with debris clearance underway. Authorities have urged residents to cooperate with ongoing investigations, assuring that the action aligns with legal mandates to preserve public land.
