Turkman Gate clashes: 5 cops injured, 5 people detained – what to know about demolition drive near Faiz-e-Elahi mosque

Turkman Gate: At least five police personnel sustained minor injuries after stones were pelted during a demolition drive by municipal authorities in the early hours of Wednesday to remove alleged encroachments near a century-old mosque in the Turkman Gate area of Old Delhi.

Police have registered an FIR in the case and have reportedly detained 5 people in connection with the pre-dawn clashes.

“The action started around 1 AM. MCD conducted demolition as per the High Court's orders on the land that was encroached upon. Stones were pelted at the Police at night. We used minimal force to push back. Overall, the process was very smooth. Four to five officers suffered minor injuries. As soon as we receive the CCTV, ground, and body camera footage, we will identify the perpetrators and take legal action,” DCP Nidhin Valsan told news agency ANI.

The demolition by Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), assisted by police, was earlier scheduled to begin at 8:00 AM on 7 January, but commenced at around 1:30 AM.

At least 17 earthmovers were at the scene, accompanied by a battery of police and administrative vehicles. Police said some people indulged in stone pelting, but the situation was promptly brought under control through measured and 'minimal use' of force. Some reports suggested police resorted to tear gas shelling. LiveMint, however, could not verify the claims.

Delhi High Court Notice on Delhi Demolition

“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,” Madhur Verma, Joint Commissioner of Police, Central Range, told the news agency.

Delhi minister Ashish Sood said that those involved in the clashes during the anti-encroachment drive would be punished, adding that some had already been arrested.

“The guilty will be punished, and some of them have also been arrested,” Sood told news agency ANI, adding that the bulldozer action was taking place in accordance with a court order.

The demolition drive was carried out despite the Delhi High Court issuing a notice on a petition filed by the managing committee of Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid on Tuesday. The petition challenged the MCD decision to remove alleged encroachments from land adjoining the mosque and the graveyard at Ramlila Maidan.

A bench headed by Justice Amit Bansal noted that the matter required consideration, directed the MCD and the Land & Development Office (L&DO) to file their replies, and posted the matter for hearing on 22 April.

Situation under control: Police

Police said the situation in the area remains under control and adequate security arrangements are in place to ensure the smooth completion of the demolition drive.

Miscreants attempted to create a disturbance

Before the demolition drive, several coordination meetings were held with members of the Aman Committee and other local stakeholders to maintain peace and prevent any untoward incidents. All possible preventive and confidence-building measures were undertaken, Madhur Verma said.

"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 said in the official statement.

Delhi Blast Suspect seen at the mosque

Reportedly, suicide bomber Umar Un Nabi visited the 100-year-old mosque in Old Delhi and stayed there for more than 10 minutes before carrying out a high-intensity explosion near the Red Fort on 10 November 2025, which claimed 15 lives. The blast took place in a car.

On 22 December 2025, the MCD issued a notice stating that all structures beyond 0.195 acres were liable to be demolished as part of an anti-encroachment drive, after concluding that no documentary evidence had been produced to establish ownership or lawful possession of the land by the mosque’s managing committee or the Delhi Waqf Board (DWB). The 0.195-acre parcel, officials clarified, includes the mosque structure.

The notice followed a 12 November 2025 order of the Delhi High Court directing the MCD and the Public Works Department (PWD) to remove encroachments measuring 38,940 square feet at Ramlila Ground near Turkman Gate.

(With ANI inputs)