At least five police personnel were injured early Wednesday (January 7, 2026) during an anti-encroachment drive near a mosque in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan area that turned violent.
Clashes Erupt During Delhi Demolition Drive
The clashes occurred after the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) carried out a demolition drive in the vicinity of Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid, Turkman Gate, near Ramlila Maidan.
Delhi Police stated that to ensure a smooth demolition and maintain public order, the area was divided into nine zones, each supervised by an Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police. Adequate police force was deployed at all sensitive points.
Prior to the demolition, coordination meetings were held with members of the Aman Committee and local stakeholders to maintain peace and prevent incidents. Preventive and confidence-building measures were undertaken.
Officials reported that “a few miscreants” attempted to create a disturbance by stone pelting, but the situation was brought under control with “measured and minimal use of force.”
“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,” said Madhur Verma, Joint Commissioner of Police, Central Range, in an official statement.
Police said normalcy was restored shortly after the incident, following reports of stone pelting and resulting chaos.
Authorities deployed around 17 bulldozers to remove unauthorized structures in the area.
Delhi High Court Hearing
The Delhi High Court sought responses from the Ministry of Urban Development, MCD, and Delhi Waqf Board on Tuesday (January 6, 2026) regarding a plea challenging an order to remove alleged encroachments from land adjoining the Syed Faiz Elahi mosque and graveyard at Turkman Gate.
Justice Amit Bansal issued notices to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Ministry of Urban Development’s Land and Development Office (L&DO), Public Works Department (PWS) and Delhi Waqf Board on a petition filed by the managing committee of the Masjid Syed Faiz Elahi.
The court scheduled further hearing for April 22, stating the “matter requires consideration” and requesting replies within four weeks.
The petition challenges a December 22, 2025 MCD order declaring structures beyond 0.195 acres liable for demolition, citing a lack of documentary evidence of ownership by the mosque committee or the Delhi Waqf Board. The 0.195-acre land houses the mosque.
The MCD’s decision followed a November 12, 2025 order from a division Bench of the high court granting the civic body and the PWD three months to clear 38,940 sq. ft of encroachments at the Ramlila Ground near Turkman Gate.
(with inputs from agencies)
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