New Delhi: A court-ordered demolition drive near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid at Turkman Gate, close to Ramlila Maidan, unfolded in the early hours of January 7,
with heavy police deployment, traffic restrictions and brief unrest marked by stone pelting. Authorities said the action was carried out strictly under judicial directions and wrapped up before sunrise to prevent escalation and minimise public inconvenience.
Why the Demolition Was Carried Out
According to an official statement, the demolition was conducted by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi following directions from the Delhi High Court to remove unauthorised encroachments in the vicinity of the mosque. Officials maintained that the structures were illegal and posed safety and public order concerns, necessitating immediate action.To ensure law and order, Delhi Police put in place elaborate security arrangements. The area was divided into nine zones, each supervised by an officer of the rank of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, with personnel deployed at all sensitive points.
Ahead of the drive, police held multiple coordination meetings with members of the Aman Committee and local stakeholders to build confidence, maintain peace and prevent any untoward incident. Officials said all preventive and confidence-building measures were taken well in advance.
Timeline: What Happened During the Demolition
- Late night / early morning: Police moved in during the night, aiming to complete the operation before sunrise.
- Demolition begins: Around 17 bulldozers were brought in to raze unauthorised structures near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid.
- Stone pelting incident: During the operation, a small group of miscreants allegedly resorted to stone pelting.
- Situation controlled: Police responded with measured and minimal force, bringing the situation under control swiftly.
- Injuries reported: Five police personnel sustained minor injuries, officials said.
- Normalcy restored: The drive continued and was wrapped up without further escalation.
Central Range Joint Commissioner of Police Madhur Verma said the response was calibrated to ensure that normalcy was restored quickly and public order was maintained.
Traffic Restrictions and Advisory for Commuters
Given the scale of the operation, authorities imposed traffic restrictions and diversions from 8 am onwards in central Delhi. Commuters were advised to avoid roads around Ramlila Maidan, follow diversions and plan their journeys in advance, as congestion was expected during peak hours.
Alongside the advisory, police reiterated that dangerous driving practices, especially wrong-side driving, would invite strict action. With such violations rising sharply in recent years, officers warned that in serious cases—particularly on busy roads or where lives are endangered—FIRs could be registered, not just fines.
Delhi Police stressed that the demolition was carried out lawfully, professionally and sensitively, strictly in line with court orders. “We remain committed to maintaining law and order while ensuring judicial directions are implemented without fear or favour,” the official statement said.
The Turkman Gate demolition underscores the tightrope authorities walk between enforcing court orders and maintaining public peace. While the brief stone-pelting incident highlighted underlying tensions, officials insist the operation was necessary, legally mandated and handled with restraint to prevent a wider flare-up.
