An anti-encroachment drive carried out by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi near the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque in the Turkman Gate and Ramlila Maidan area of Old Delhi turned tense early on Wednesday after clashes broke out between locals and the police. Officials said five police personnel were injured in stone pelting during the operation.
According to the Delhi Police, the demolition drive was conducted following directions of the Delhi High Court to remove illegal constructions from land adjoining the mosque and a nearby graveyard. The action, which was scheduled to begin at 8 am, started around 1.30 am with heavy police deployment and bulldozers at the site.
Joint Commissioner of Police Madhur Verma said several people gathered during the drive, and a small group allegedly started pelting stones at police teams. “We have detained people involved in the incident. Images of others have been identified, and they will be arrested soon,” he said.
DCP Nidhin Valsan said the police used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and control the situation. “Stones were pelted at the police. We used minimal force to push them back. Normalcy was restored shortly after,” he said, adding that CCTV footage, ground videos and body camera recordings were being examined to identify those involved.
Police said an FIR has been registered under sections related to rioting, assault on government servants and obstruction of official duty. Ten people have been detained so far, and further investigation is underway.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi clarified that no damage was caused to the mosque during the drive. MCD officials said that only illegal commercial structures such as a banquet hall, a diagnostic centre and other unauthorised constructions were demolished. Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh said the demolition was completed as per court orders and debris clearance was underway.
The demolition followed a December 22 notice issued by the MCD stating that structures beyond 0.195 acres were illegal and liable for removal. The corporation claimed that no documentary proof was submitted to establish ownership or lawful possession of the land beyond the area occupied by the mosque.
The managing committee of Masjid Syed Elahi had filed a petition in the Delhi High Court challenging the MCD action. The committee argued that the mosque and adjoining graveyard are over 100 years old and fall under the Delhi Waqf Board. It said it does not oppose the removal of encroachments but sought protection for the graveyard area.
On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court said the matter requires consideration and asked the MCD, Delhi Development Authority, Public Works Department, Delhi Waqf Board and other authorities to file their replies within four weeks. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for April 22.
The MCD action is linked to a November High Court order that directed authorities to clear nearly 38940 square feet of alleged encroachments near Ramlila Ground in the Turkman Gate area within three months.
