NEW DELHI – In a pre-dawn operation on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) carried out a massive demolition drive near the 100-year-old Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid at Turkman Gate. The drive, which began around 1:00 AM, aimed to clear over 38,000 square feet of illegal encroachments on government land.
While the mosque itself was left untouched, the demolition of adjoining structures triggered violent clashes between local residents and security forces.
Chaos at the Site: Stone-Pelting and Tear Gas
The operation, supported by a heavy contingent of Delhi Police, turned volatile shortly after the bulldozers arrived.
- The Resistance: A crowd of nearly 200 protesters gathered, attempting to breach barricades. The situation escalated into stone-pelting against the civic and security personnel.
- Police Response: To disperse the crowd, police used “minimal force,” which included firing tear gas shells.
- Casualties: At least five police personnel sustained minor injuries during the clashes. DCP Nidhin Valsan confirmed that authorities are currently reviewing CCTV and body-camera footage to identify the “miscreants” involved.
Legal Background: The High Court Mandate
The demolition was not a sudden act but a compliance measure following a November 12, 2025, order by a division bench of the Delhi High Court.
| Key Entity | Role / Involvement |
| MCD & PWD | Directed to clear 38,940 sq. ft of encroachment within three months. |
| Save India Foundation | The NGO that filed the original PIL leading to the demolition. |
| Syed Faiz Elahi Masjid | Managing committee claims the land is notified Waqf property. |
| Delhi High Court | Seeking responses from the Centre and Waqf Board; next hearing April 22, 2026. |
The Dispute: The MCD maintains that while the mosque stands on 0.195 acres of leased land (which is safe), all structures beyond that—including a community hall (baraat ghar), a parking lot, and a clinic—were illegal encroachments on public land.
Strategic Timing and Security
Authorities chose the 1:00 AM start time specifically to minimize disruption to nearby critical infrastructure, including New Delhi Railway Station and major hospitals like LNJP and GB Pant.
“The entire area was meticulously divided into nine zones, each supervised by an officer of the rank of Additional DCP. Despite coordination meetings with the Aman Committee, a few individuals attempted to create a disturbance.” — Madhur Verma, Joint Commissioner of Police