As the demolition began, a large number of people gathered outside the mosque, with some raising slogans against the action.
Illegal encroachments around the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque near Ramlila Ground in Delhi’s Turkman Gate area were removed during a late-night demolition drive that turned tense after stone pelting and sloganeering by a crowd. The operation was carried out in the early hours of Wednesday, with around 17 bulldozers deployed to clear the encroachments. At least five police officers sustained minor injuries in the incident.
An FIR has been filed in the case, and five people have been identified and detained so far. Delhi Police said the identification of others involved in the stone-pelting is underway. “They will be identified using body camera footage from the police officers and footage from nearby CCTV cameras,” said Delhi Police in a statement. An FIR will soon be filed in the case.
As demolition began, a large number of people gathered outside the mosque, with some raising slogans in protest against the action. Delhi Police barricaded all roads leading to the mosque and stopped people from moving beyond the cordons. Tensions escalated when sections of the crowd attempted to break through the barricades near Turkman Gate, prompting police to use mild force to control the situation.
Speaking on the encroachment clearance drive, DCP Nidhin Valsan said: “About 25-30 people were involved in stone pelting on police teams, in which five policemen sustained minor injuries. We had to use tear gas to control the situation. There was a banquet hall and a dispensary, which have been demolished. The drive was conducted in the night, keeping in mind that people should not face any difficulty. We will take action against those who were involved in stone pelting. The situation is 100 per cent under control here.”
#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals from the area near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid, Turkman Gate, where MCD, pursuant to the directions of the Delhi High Court, carried out a demolition drive on an encroachment earlier today.
Madhur Verma, Joint Commissioner of Police, Central Range, says,… pic.twitter.com/sAVAsZwPfs
— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2026
The situation worsened when members of the crowd resorted to stone pelting at police personnel. To disperse the mob, police fired tear gas shells and gas bullets, leading to loud explosion-like sounds in the area. Teams of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed in the inner lanes of Turkman Gate from where stones were being hurled.
