A violent clash erupted early this morning, January 7, 2026, during a demolition drive near a mosque in Delhi, leaving several injured and prompting police intervention. The incident occurred in the Ramlila Maidan-Turkman Gate area, specifically on land adjoining the Syed Faiz Elahi mosque, as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) carried out a court-ordered anti-encroachment drive. Here’s a timeline of events leading up to the clash:

Background:

• High Court Order: The MCD's demolition drive was initiated following a Delhi High Court order dated November 12, 2025, which granted the civic body and the Public Works Department (PWD) three months to clear approximately 38,940 square feet of encroachments at the Ramlila Ground near Turkman Gate.
• MCD Notice: On December 22, 2025, the MCD issued a notice declaring that structures exceeding 0.195 acres of land near the Syed Faiz Elahi mosque were subject to demolition. The MCD stated that the mosque's managing committee and the Delhi Waqf Board (DWB) had not provided adequate documentation to establish ownership or legal possession of the land. The 0.195-acre area includes the mosque structure.
• High Court Hearing: On January 6, 2026, the Delhi High Court sought responses from the Ministry of Urban Development, MCD, and Delhi Waqf Board regarding a plea challenging the order to remove encroachments from the land adjoining the mosque and graveyard.

January 7, 2026: The Demolition and Clash

• Pre-dawn Operation: The MCD launched the demolition drive around 1:00 AM on January 7, with heavy police deployment in the Turkman Gate area. Authorities mobilized over 17 bulldozers to remove unauthorized structures. Roads were sealed, and movement was restricted to maintain order during the operation.
• Initial Preparations: Prior to the demolition, the Delhi Police held coordination meetings with members of the Aman Committee and local stakeholders to maintain peace and prevent any untoward incidents.
• Stone Pelting and Police Response: As the demolition began, a group of "miscreants" attempted to disrupt the process by pelting stones at police personnel. Police responded with what they described as "measured and minimal use of force," including tear gas, to disperse the crowd and restore order.
• Injuries and Detentions: At least five police officers sustained minor injuries during the stone-pelting incident. The Delhi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) and detained at least five people in connection with the violence. Some reports indicate that ten people were detained.
• Extent of Demolition: The MCD cleared approximately 36,000 square feet of encroached area, including shops, a dispensary, portions of a community facility, a diagnostic center, a marriage hall and two two-story boundary walls. Authorities affirmed that the mosque structure itself was untouched during the demolition.

Aftermath:

• Traffic Restrictions: Traffic restrictions remained in place following the demolition.
• Debris Removal: MCD officials stated that debris sufficient to fill 200 to 250 vehicles remained at the site and would be removed as part of the ongoing clean-up operation.
• Ongoing Tensions: The incident has raised tensions in the area, with questions surrounding the fairness and necessity of the demolition drive.

The situation remains sensitive as authorities work to maintain order and address concerns raised by local residents.