Demolition drive near mosque in Old Delhi's Turkman Gate area turns violent | Photos

The demolition drive, carried out by the MCD, took place on the land adjoining the mosque and a nearby graveyard at Turkman Gate.

Updated on: Jan 07, 2026 6:44 PM IST

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An anti-encroachment drive near the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan turned violent early on Wednesday after stone-pelting during the demolition. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)

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The drive, carried out by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), took place on the land adjoining the mosque and a nearby graveyard at Turkman Gate. Five police personnel were injured in the incident, after which five persons were detained by the police. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)

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Delhi Police said teargas shells were used to disperse the crowds, adding that normalcy was restored shortly after the incident. Joint Commissioner of Police (Central) Madhur Verma said the police registered a case after the incident. "More evidence is being collected with the help of the body-borne cameras worn by Delhi Police personnel and videography from the spot," Verma said, (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)

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DCP Nidhi Valsan said that the action started around 1 am. "MCD conducted demolition as per the High Court's orders on the encroached land," Valsan said, adding that the police had used minimal force, adding that legal action would be taken against those involved in stone-pelting. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)

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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, according to Central Range Joint Commissioner of Police, Madhur Verma. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)

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Police said that soon after the demolition drive started, around 25-30 people pelted stones at police and MCD officials who had arrived at Turkman Gate with JCBs to demolish illegal encroachment after a court order. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)