The demolition drive near Old Delhi’s Turkman Gate on January 7, 2026, was the culmination of months of legal proceedings, municipal planning, and disputes over encroached land near the historic Masjid Syed Elahi, also called Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid, located close to Ramlila Maidan. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), acting under court orders, initiated the drive early in the morning, beginning at 1:30 am, although the operation had originally been scheduled to start at 8 am. The early timing and heavy enforcement presence were part of a strategy to prevent potential protests and ensure compliance with the High Court’s directives.

Officials reported that some residents and miscreants attempted to disrupt the drive through stone-pelting, resulting in injuries to at least five police personnel. Five individuals were detained in connection with these incidents under charges of rioting, obstructing public servants, destruction of government property, and causing hurt to public servants, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Nidhin Valsan. Law enforcement emphasized that the response was measured, with minimal force used to maintain order during the operation.

The legal and administrative basis for the drive dates back to a Delhi High Court order issued on November 12, 2025, which directed the MCD and the Public Works Department (PWD) to remove encroachments covering 38,940 square feet at Ramlila Ground near Turkman Gate within a three-month period. Following this, on December 22, 2025, the MCD issued a notice stating that all structures beyond 0.195 acres—the area occupied by the mosque itself—were liable to be demolished. The notice clarified that neither the mosque’s managing committee nor the Delhi Waqf Board had provided documentary proof establishing lawful ownership or possession of the remaining land in the area.

As part of preparations for the operation, the authorities divided the area into nine zones, each supervised by an officer of the rank of additional deputy commissioner of police, according to Madhur Verma, Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range). Over ten companies of Delhi Police and personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed at sensitive points to ensure law and order during the operation. The level of planning and deployment reflected the authorities’ concern over potential unrest, given that previous attempts by MCD officials to mark encroached areas had been met with protests from local residents.

The demolition was met with immediate protests from residents of the area, who gathered near the mosque to oppose the removal of structures. Videos circulated on social media showed bulldozers razing constructions near the mosque, stone-pelting incidents, and police deploying tear gas to disperse crowds. While the area was calm by Wednesday morning, tension lingered as locals reacted to what they viewed as an abrupt enforcement of the MCD order.

In parallel, the legal process continued. On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the Delhi High Court issued a notice on a petition filed by the mosque’s managing committee challenging the MCD’s action to remove encroachments from land adjoining Masjid Syed Elahi and a nearby kabristan (graveyard). The bench noted that the matter required careful consideration and directed the MCD and the Land and Development Office (L&DO) to file their responses. The court scheduled the next hearing for April 22, 2026, indicating that the judicial review of the demolition drive and encroachment removal would continue even as the municipal action was carried out.

Authorities stressed that the demolition drive was conducted pursuant to the HC order, and that extensive law-and-order arrangements were necessary to ensure public safety while implementing court directives. This legal backing provided MCD officials with the authority to carry out the anti-encroachment drive despite local objections.

The Turkman Gate demolition is part of a broader municipal effort to reclaim land encroached over decades in Delhi, especially in historic and congested areas where public spaces and roads have been gradually occupied. Such drives have often led to friction between civic authorities and residents, particularly in areas with sensitive religious and cultural significance.

In summary, the MCD demolition near Turkman Gate was prompted by:

1. High Court orders from November 2025 mandating the removal of encroachments in the Ramlila Ground vicinity.
2. Official notices issued by the MCD on December 22, 2025, targeting structures beyond 0.195 acres adjoining Masjid Syed Elahi.
3. Failure of encroachment owners or managing committees to provide lawful ownership or possession documents for the contested land.
4. Previous protests and obstructions by locals when MCD officials visited the site to mark encroachments, necessitating early morning execution and heavy police deployment.
5. Preventive planning and security measures, including the division of the area into zones and deployment of multiple police companies and Rapid Action Force units to maintain order.

The incident illustrates the complex interplay between legal directives, municipal governance, and community sensitivities in Delhi’s historic neighborhoods. While authorities acted under the legal mandate of the High Court, the early morning timing, heavy police presence, and resulting detentions underscore the challenges of enforcing urban laws in densely populated and historically significant areas.

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