Illegal encroachments around the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque near Ramlila Ground in Delhi’s Turkman Gate area were removed during a late-night demolition drive that turned tense after stone pelting and sloganeering
by a crowd. The operation was carried out in the early hours of Wednesday, with around 17 bulldozers deployed to clear the encroachments. At least five police officers sustained minor injuries in the incident.
As the demolition began, a large number of people gathered outside the mosque, with some raising slogans against the action. Delhi Police barricaded all roads leading to the mosque and stopped people from moving beyond the cordons. Tensions escalated when sections of the crowd attempted to break through the barricades near Turkman Gate, prompting police to use mild force to control the situation.
Speaking on the encroachment clearance drive, DCP Nidhin Valsan said: “About 25-30 people were involved in stone pelting on police teams in which five policemen sustained minor injuries. We had to use tear gas to control the situation. There was a banquet hall, a dispensary which have been demolished. The drive was conducted in the night keeping in mind that people should not face any difficulty. We will take action against those who were involved in stone pelting. Situation is 100 per cent under control here.”
#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals from the area near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid, Turkman Gate, where MCD, pursuant to the directions of the Delhi High Court, carried out a demolition drive on an encroachment earlier today.
Madhur Verma, Joint Commissioner of Police, Central Range, says,… pic.twitter.com/sAVAsZwPfs
— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2026
#WATCH | Delhi | Bulldozer action by MCD at an encroachment near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid, Turkman Gate, continues. https://t.co/4ZxB7q3Vn0 pic.twitter.com/yfPqyBgBCI
— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2026
The situation worsened when members of the crowd resorted to stone pelting at police personnel. To disperse the mob, police fired tear gas shells and gas bullets, leading to loud explosion-like sounds in the area. Teams of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed in the inner lanes of Turkman Gate from where stones were being hurled.
According to Joint Commissioner of Police Madhur Verma, the demolition was carried out as per court orders. He said strict action would be taken against those involved in violence and that offenders would be identified using video footage. Verma added that most of the people involved in the disturbances were outsiders and would not be spared.
Delhi police said they will identify the people involved in the stone-pelting incident outside Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque. “They will be identified using body camera footage from the police officers and footage from nearby CCTV cameras,” said Delhi Police in a statement. An FIR will soon be filed in the case.
Delhi Police also used drone cameras to monitor the situation throughout the operation. The area was eventually brought under control, and the demolition drive was completed under heavy security presence.
