What is the story about?
Five individuals have been detained by Delhi Police in connection with the stone-pelting incident that occurred during the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD) demolition drive near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid at Turkman Gate.
Around 25-30 people hurled stones at police and MCD officials as they arrived with JCBs at the Turkman Gate to destroy an illegal encroachment on the court's order, police said.
Five police officers sustained minor injuries.
"Last night, MCD staff came here with JCBs. We had informed about the court's order to the people. Around 150 people gathered here. People were curious to know what was happening. We advised them to leave the site. About 25-30 people started pelting stones at the police,” according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Central District, Nidhin Valsan.
“In retaliation, we had to use force. After pushing them back, we started the demolition. Five police officers were injured during the stone pelting. Their injuries are minor in nature. We have registered an FIR. Five people have been detained. The people detained are from the Chandni Mahal area," Valsan was quoted as saying by ANI.
Delhi Minister Ashish Sood has assured punishment for those involved in the stone-pelting incident. In a conversation with ANI, he said the demolition drive was underway at commercial establishments. "This is an unfortunate incident. There was a court order against the commercial establishments that had been built around the mosque. This action is being taken in accordance with that court order. It is wrong to stop this action. The guilty will be punished, and some of them have also been arrested," he added.
The drive took place despite the Delhi High Court issuing a notice on a plea filed by the Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid's administrative committee. The petition contested the MCD's decision to remove alleged encroachments from land adjacent to the mosque and graveyard at Ramlila Maidan.
A bench led by Justice Amit Bansal remarked that the matter needed to be considered, asked the MCD and the Land & Development Office (L&DO) to file responses, and scheduled a hearing for April 22.
According to officials, the situation in the area remains under control, with police on the scene to prevent additional disturbances.
To maintain peace and avoid any untoward occurrences, multiple coordination meetings were held with Aman Committee members and other local stakeholders ahead of the demolition drive.
ALSO READ | Bihar jewellers ban sale of gold to people wearing helmets, hijabs citing security concerns
Madhur Verma, Central Range Joint Commissioner of Police, stated that all possible preventive and confidence-building steps were implemented. "During the course of the demolition, a few miscreants attempted to create a disturbance by indulging in stone pelting. The situation was promptly brought under control through measured and minimal use of force, ensuring that normalcy was restored without escalation," Verma added.
On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court issued notice to the government and other authorities regarding a petition challenging the removal of alleged encroachments near the Syed Faiz Elahi mosque and graveyard at Turkman Gate. The MCD had ordered the demolition of structures beyond 0.195 acres.
ALSO READ |Siddaramaiah becomes longest-serving chief minister of Karnataka
Based on a petition filed by the mosque's managing committee, Justice Amit Bansal issued notices to the Union Ministry of Urban Development, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Land and Development Office (L&DO), Public Works Department (PWD), and the Delhi Waqf Board.
The MCD's action follows a November 2025 High Court order to remove 38,940 sq ft of encroachments near Ramlila Ground. The court has directed authorities to respond within four weeks, with the next hearing scheduled for April 22.
Around 25-30 people hurled stones at police and MCD officials as they arrived with JCBs at the Turkman Gate to destroy an illegal encroachment on the court's order, police said.
Five police officers sustained minor injuries.
Delhi police arrested five persons in connection with the stone pelting incident in the area near the Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid, Turkman Gate, where a demolition
drive was carried out by the MCD last night. More details awaited: Delhi Police
— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2026
VIDEO | Delhi: MCD carries out demolition drive against illegal encroachment near Faiz-e-Elahi mosque, Turkman Gate.#DelhiNews #TurkmanGate
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7 ) pic.twitter.com/wXSFi4lfA9
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 7, 2026
"Last night, MCD staff came here with JCBs. We had informed about the court's order to the people. Around 150 people gathered here. People were curious to know what was happening. We advised them to leave the site. About 25-30 people started pelting stones at the police,” according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Central District, Nidhin Valsan.
“In retaliation, we had to use force. After pushing them back, we started the demolition. Five police officers were injured during the stone pelting. Their injuries are minor in nature. We have registered an FIR. Five people have been detained. The people detained are from the Chandni Mahal area," Valsan was quoted as saying by ANI.
#WATCH | Delhi: On demolition drive and stone pelting in Delhi, Nidhin Valsan, Central District DCP says, "MCD staff came here with bulldozers, and we deployed our force here. We had a discussion with locals here and told them that you should comply with the court's order. When… pic.twitter.com/eqnbSogzqt
— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2026
Delhi Minister Ashish Sood has assured punishment for those involved in the stone-pelting incident. In a conversation with ANI, he said the demolition drive was underway at commercial establishments. "This is an unfortunate incident. There was a court order against the commercial establishments that had been built around the mosque. This action is being taken in accordance with that court order. It is wrong to stop this action. The guilty will be punished, and some of them have also been arrested," he added.
The drive took place despite the Delhi High Court issuing a notice on a plea filed by the Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid's administrative committee. The petition contested the MCD's decision to remove alleged encroachments from land adjacent to the mosque and graveyard at Ramlila Maidan.
A bench led by Justice Amit Bansal remarked that the matter needed to be considered, asked the MCD and the Land & Development Office (L&DO) to file responses, and scheduled a hearing for April 22.
According to officials, the situation in the area remains under control, with police on the scene to prevent additional disturbances.
To maintain peace and avoid any untoward occurrences, multiple coordination meetings were held with Aman Committee members and other local stakeholders ahead of the demolition drive.
ALSO READ | Bihar jewellers ban sale of gold to people wearing helmets, hijabs citing security concerns
Madhur Verma, Central Range Joint Commissioner of Police, stated that all possible preventive and confidence-building steps were implemented. "During the course of the demolition, a few miscreants attempted to create a disturbance by indulging in stone pelting. The situation was promptly brought under control through measured and minimal use of force, ensuring that normalcy was restored without escalation," Verma added.
On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court issued notice to the government and other authorities regarding a petition challenging the removal of alleged encroachments near the Syed Faiz Elahi mosque and graveyard at Turkman Gate. The MCD had ordered the demolition of structures beyond 0.195 acres.
ALSO READ |Siddaramaiah becomes longest-serving chief minister of Karnataka
Based on a petition filed by the mosque's managing committee, Justice Amit Bansal issued notices to the Union Ministry of Urban Development, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Land and Development Office (L&DO), Public Works Department (PWD), and the Delhi Waqf Board.
The MCD's action follows a November 2025 High Court order to remove 38,940 sq ft of encroachments near Ramlila Ground. The court has directed authorities to respond within four weeks, with the next hearing scheduled for April 22.
