In a major overnight operation, Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) officials, supported by hundreds of police personnel, deployed 32 JCBs and four Poclain machines to carry out a court-ordered demolition near the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque at Turkman Gate. The drive targeted illegal encroachments on land adjoining the historic mosque, focusing specifically on a banquet hall, a diagnostic centre, and a community hall.

Deputy Commissioner of the City SP Zone, Vivek Aggarwal, described the operation as “complex” due to the structural strength of the encroachments, which included walls exceeding nine inches in thickness. “The operation was challenging, but we had all necessary machinery at our disposal, including pneumatic hammers, gas cutting machines, and trucks,” he said.

MCD Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh told PTI that the demolition began around midnight and took approximately two to three hours to complete. At least 50–60 MCD personnel were directly involved, alongside a significant police contingent to maintain security and ensure the smooth execution of the court’s orders.

Scale of demolition

The demolished area spanned roughly 36,000 square feet and comprised the banquet hall, diagnostic centre, and community hall. Aggarwal explained that debris from the demolition is estimated to fill 250–300 trucks, and the clearance of the site will continue in the coming days. “The remaining debris will be removed promptly, and any leftover structures will also be cleared as soon as possible,” he assured.

Despite the large-scale operation, authorities confirmed that the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque itself was untouched. “Whatever area of the mosque was documented in their papers is secure. The mosque has not been affected at all by the operation,” Aggarwal emphasized. He clarified that the demolition was strictly confined to the encroached portion of the land, in line with the directions of the Delhi High Court.

Court order and significance

The demolition comes as part of a broader High Court-mandated initiative to remove illegal structures from public and encroached lands in Delhi. This particular operation has drawn attention due to its proximity to religious and historically significant landmarks, highlighting the sensitive nature of urban enforcement in densely populated areas.

Officials involved underscored that the drive was conducted professionally and with care to avoid any damage to the mosque or surrounding properties. The authorities stated that further efforts would be made to ensure full clearance of the area and to restore the site in accordance with the court’s directives.

Context and next steps

Encroachment removal drives in Delhi have often been contentious, given the city’s dense settlement patterns and historical sites. The Faiz-e-Elahi operation marks one of the more high-profile implementations of court orders in recent times. Authorities have assured the public that all remaining structures in the area will be swiftly removed and that the space will be restored, minimizing disruption to the community.

As of now, the demolition operation has concluded successfully, with safety and adherence to legal directives being maintained throughout the process. The MCD has confirmed that monitoring and clearance operations will continue in the coming days to ensure full compliance with the High Court’s orders.