Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) and detained five individuals following incidents of alleged stone pelting during a demolition drive carried out by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) near the Faiz-e-Elahi Mosque (also known as Masjid Syed Elahi) in the Turkman Gate area early Wednesday.
At least five police personnel were injured during the incident, officials confirmed.
Charges and Detentions
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Nidhin Valsan, the FIR has been filed on charges including rioting, obstructing public servants in the discharge of duty, destruction of government property, and causing hurt to public servants on duty.
Police officials stated that the detained individuals were identified using body-worn camera footage and other video evidence collected during the operation.
Demolition Triggered Tensions
The situation remained calm on Wednesday morning; however, tension escalated in parts of Old Delhi after civic authorities, supported by heavy police deployment, began removing alleged encroachments adjacent to the mosque near Ramlila Maidan.
Although the demolition was scheduled to begin at 8:00 am, it was initiated around 1:30 am, leading to protests by local residents.
Law and Order Measures
Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range) Madhur Verma said the demolition was conducted in compliance with directions of the Delhi High Court. He added that extensive law-and-order arrangements were put in place.
“The area was divided into nine zones, each supervised by an officer of the rank of additional deputy commissioner of police. More than ten companies of Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed at sensitive locations,” Verma said.
Authorities also held coordination meetings in advance with Aman Committee members and local stakeholders to maintain peace.
Situation Brought Under Control
Police officials said a small group attempted to disrupt the operation by pelting stones. The situation was swiftly brought under control with what authorities described as measured and minimal use of force, including the use of tear gas.
Legal Background
The demolition drive took place amid ongoing legal proceedings. On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court issued notice on a petition filed by the mosque’s managing committee challenging the MCD’s decision to remove alleged encroachments from land adjoining the mosque and a nearby kabristan (graveyard).
A bench led by Justice Amit Bansal directed the MCD and the Land and Development Office (L&DO) to file responses and scheduled the matter for hearing on April 22.
Earlier, on December 22, 2025, the MCD issued a notice stating that structures beyond 0.195 acres—the area occupied by the mosque—were liable for demolition due to the absence of documentary proof of lawful ownership. The action followed a November 12, 2025, High Court order directing the removal of encroachments at Ramlila Ground near Turkman Gate within three months.
