New Delhi: Delhi Police have filed a first information report (FIR) and detained five individuals following incidents of stone-pelting amid a Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) demolition drive targeting alleged encroachments near a centuries-old mosque at Turkman Gate early Wednesday morning.
The FIR includes charges such as rioting, obstructing public servants from performing their duties, damaging government property, and causing injury to on-duty officers. At least five police personnel sustained injuries in the unrest, according to officials.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Nidhin Valsan confirmed the registration of the case. An official familiar with the matter stated that the five detainees were identified through bodycam footage worn by personnel and other available videos.
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Although the area returned to normalcy by Wednesday morning, tensions flared in parts of Old Delhi as MCD teams, supported by substantial police presence, began clearing structures adjacent to Masjid Syed Elahi, also known as Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid, near Ramlila Maidan. The operation, originally set for 8am, commenced around 1:30am, prompting protests from residents.
Circulating videos depicted bulldozers and earth-movers demolishing structures under police watch, along with tear gas deployment and stone-throwing. Hindustan Times (HT) was unable to independently verify these clips.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range) Madhur Verma explained that the demolition followed directives from the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi, with comprehensive security measures in place. The area was divided into nine zones, each overseen by an additional deputy commissioner of police, and more than ten companies of Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were stationed at key locations.
Advance coordination meetings with Aman Committee members and local stakeholders aimed to ensure peace. Verma noted that a few miscreants disrupted the process with stone-pelting, but the situation was swiftly managed using minimal and measured force.
The drive proceeded despite a Delhi High Court notice issued Tuesday on a petition by the mosque’s managing committee challenging the MCD’s encroachment removal plans near the mosque and an adjoining graveyard. The court, headed by Justice Amit Bansal, sought responses from MCD and the Land and Development Office (L&DO), scheduling the next hearing for April 22.
On December 22, 2025, MCD declared structures beyond the mosque’s 0.195-acre plot as encroachments, citing lack of proof of ownership from the managing committee or Delhi Waqf Board. This stemmed from a November 12, 2025, high court order to clear 38,940 square feet at Ramlila Ground, based on an October 2025 joint survey involving MCD, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Public Works Department (PWD), L&DO, the Union urban development ministry, revenue department, and police.
Prior resistance from locals during a site marking visit on Sunday had led to bolstered police arrangements for the operation.
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