New Delhi, Jan 7: A late-night demolition drive was carried out by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) at an encroached site near the Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid, close to Turkman Gate, on Wednesday. This operation followed a Delhi High Court order, which directed the Ministry of Urban Development, the MCD, and the Delhi Waqf Board to submit their responses within four weeks. The case is scheduled for a further hearing on April 22.

Videos shared by residents show bulldozers and earth-movers demolishing parts of the century-old mosque, accompanied by heavy police presence at the site. According to Delhi Police, at least five police personnel were injured after stones were allegedly thrown during the operation. DCP Nidhin Valsan mentioned, “Minimal force was used to control the situation. CCTV, ground, and body camera footage will be examined to identify the miscreants.”

The demolition drive stems from an MCD order dated December 22, 2025, which declared that structures on land exceeding 0.195 acres near the mosque were unauthorized. The mosque itself occupies the land, while the additional areas were identified as encroachments.

This order came after a November 12 directive from the High Court to clear encroachments near Ramlila Ground at Turkman Gate. The mosque’s managing committee has challenged the MCD’s action, arguing that the land is waqf property, and any disputes should be addressed under the jurisdiction of the Waqf Tribunal.