Tensions escalated in Old Delhi early Wednesday morning, as Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), backed up by the police, started an anti-encroachment drive close to the century-old Masjid Syed Elahi, also referred to as Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid near Turkman Gate. The demolition, which was to start at 8 am, commenced at about 1:30 am, raising protests from the residents.
The police said a few attempted to thwart the operation with stone-pelting. DCP Nidhin Valsan told ANI, “Stones were pelted at the police at night. We used minimal force to push back. Apart from that, the overall process was very smooth… As soon as we get the CCTV camera footage, ground footage and body camera footage, we will identify the miscreants and take legal action.”
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The Delhi Police have filed an FIR against anonymous individuals in connection with the violence. It has been confirmed that 11 people have been taken into custody for questioning, and there are likely to be arrests as the identification of the attackers continues.
Court orders and civic action
As per a report by the Hindustan Times, the drive was carried out “pursuant to the directions of the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range) Madhur Verma said. Verma added that elaborate security arrangements were made, with the area being divided into nine zones, each monitored by an additional DCP. “Over ten companies of Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed at sensitive points”, he further said.
MCD had issued a notice to all the parties concerned on December 22, 2025, stating that all structures beyond 0.195 acres where the mosque is located are liable to be demolished. The notice was issued citing the absence of valid documents to prove that the remaining land was rightfully owned or in possession of the managing committee of the mosque or the Delhi Waqf Board.
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Local protests and ongoing legal proceedings
The locals had protested upon the arrival of the MCD team at the site to identify the encroachments. However, the authorities went on with the demolitions. This came after the Delhi HC issued the order on November 12, 2025, to the MCD and the PWD to remove encroachments measuring 38,940 square feet near Ramlila Maidan within three months.
A case has been filed by the managing committee of the mosque regarding the MCD action of demolishing other buildings around the masjid and a cemetery. On this, the Delhi High Court stated that the case needs to be dealt with carefully and asked for the responses of both the MCD and the Land Development Office (L&DO). Further Hearing is scheduled for this case on April 22, 2026.
