A demolition drive near the century-old Faiz-e-Elahi Mosque in Delhi’s Turkman Gate–Ramlila Maidan area turned tense early Wednesday after locals objected to it, leading to the detention of 10 people.
According to DCP Nidhin Valsan, around 25–30 people were allegedly involved in stone pelting at police teams, in which five policemen sustained minor injuries.
“We had to use tear gas to control the situation. A banquet hall and a dispensary were demolished. The drive was conducted at night to minimise inconvenience. The situation is now fully under control,” he said, adding that action would be taken against those allegedly involved.
The police said an FIR has been registered against unknown persons under sections related to rioting, assault on a public servant, and obstruction of government duty.
Ten people have been detained for questioning, and further investigation is underway, said police.
Senior police officials said that prior coordination meetings had been held with members of the committee and local stakeholders to prevent any untoward incident.
“Despite all preventive and confidence-building measures, a few miscreants allegedly attempted to create a disturbance by indulging in stone pelting. The situation was brought under control with measured and minimal use of force,” said Madhur Verma, Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range).
Police said normalcy was restored shortly after the incident.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) carried out a demolition drive in the area, which the authorities described as encroached land, near the mosque. The Delhi Police said the operation was conducted following directions of the Delhi High Court, with nearly 20 bulldozers deployed.
In a statement, the Delhi Police said elaborate law and order arrangements had been made in advance. “The area was divided into nine zones, each under the supervision of an officer of the rank of Additional DCP, and adequate force was deployed at all sensitive points,” the police said.
The demolition comes amid ongoing legal proceedings.
On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court sought responses from the MCD, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Ministry of Urban Development, PWD, and Delhi Waqf Board on a plea filed by the managing committee of Masjid Syed Faiz Elahi, challenging the removal of alleged encroachments from land adjoining the mosque and graveyard.
The committee argued that it has no objection to the removal of encroachments and is only seeking the court’s intervention to protect the graveyard adjoining the mosque, which, according to it, is beyond the 0.195-acre limit.
The committee said the mosque and adjoining structures are over 100 years old, that the land falls under the Delhi Waqf Board for which lease fees are paid, and that the action would affect community and religious facilities, including the adjoining graveyard (kabristan).
Justice Amit Bansal said the matter “requires consideration” and directed the authorities to file their replies within four weeks. The next hearing is scheduled for April 22.
The petition challenges the December 22, 2025 order of the MCD, which stated that structures beyond 0.195 acres were liable to be demolished, claiming that no documentary proof of ownership or lawful possession had been produced. The 0.195-acre area includes the mosque.
The MCD’s action follows a November 12, 2025 High Court order that granted three months to clear 38,940 sq ft of alleged encroachments near Ramlila Ground, Turkman Gate.
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