A pre-dawn anti-encroachment operation in the Turkman Gate area of Old Delhi turned violent early Wednesday morning, leaving five police personnel injured. The confrontation broke out as teams from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), supported by a heavy police presence, moved in to dismantle unauthorized structures adjacent to the historic Mosque.
The drive, which began around 1:30 AM on January 7, was executed following a specific mandate from the Delhi High Court to clear nearly 39,000 square feet of encroached public land. While the mosque itself was not part of the demolition, authorities targeted several illegal commercial constructions, including a banquet hall and a private dispensary that had occupied the surrounding area.
Tensions escalated rapidly when a crowd of over 100 residents gathered to protest the action. According to police officials, while most were persuaded to leave, a smaller group of approximately 25 individuals began hurling stones and glass bottles at the security forces. In the ensuing chaos, five officers—including senior personnel—sustained minor fractures and bruises. To regain control and disperse the agitators, security forces were compelled to deploy tear gas shells.
Police officials stated that the situation was eventually stabilized using “minimal force,” and the area was divided into nine high-security zones to prevent further flare-ups. Following the incident, the Delhi Police registered an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for rioting and obstructing public servants. Currently, at least ten individuals have been detained, and investigators are reviewing CCTV and body-camera footage to identify others involved in the violence.
Municipal officials clarified that the operation was strictly a legal enforcement of court orders and not aimed at any specific community. Despite a last-minute plea for a stay by the mosque’s managing committee, the High Court has allowed the clearing of the peripheral encroachments to proceed, with the next hearing scheduled for April. For now, a significant police deployment remains on-site to ensure the continued safety of the district.
