January 8, 2026
NEW DELHI – Violence erupted in Old Delhi during a demolition drive near the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque near Ramlila Maidan after a group of miscreants pelted stones at police personnel and MCD officials early Wednesday morning.
At least five police personnel, including an SHO, were injured in the incident. They were taken to the LNJP Hospital for treatment.
Following the incident, an FIR was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
So far, the police have arrested five suspects in connection with the violence. Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range), Madhur Verma, said that the police have obtained images of more people and efforts are on to arrest them.
According to the FIR, a crowd of 30–35 people allegedly broke police barricades, damaged a government loud-hailer, and attacked police personnel despite repeated warnings under prohibitory orders.
Violence won’t be tolerated, says Delhi Home Minister
In a statement, Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood said that the stone pelting during the demolition drive was “unfortunate” and warned of strict action against those involved.
He also clarified that the demolition was carried out on some commercial establishments near the mosque and the religious site was not damaged.
“I want to clearly state that the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque is completely safe. The action is limited only to those illegal commercial establishments that fall within the scope of the court’s orders. There is no arbitrariness or mala fide intent on the part of the government in this matter,” Sood said.
The minister said that “criminal and mischievous elements” were behind the violence. “Obstructing or disrupting work being carried out within the framework of law is completely unacceptable,” he added.
MCD clarifies that no damage was caused to the mosque
MCD Deputy Commissioner Vivek Kumar also said that no damage was caused to the mosque and that the demolition drive was carried out in compliance with a High Court order to clear around 36,000 square feet of encroached area.
He further stated that a diagnostic centres, a marriage hall and a two-storey boundary wall was demolished.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi claims the whole land belongs to the Waqf
Reacting to the demolition drive, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi claimed that the whole land belongs to the Waqf.
He also questioned the judgment of the Delhi High Court, saying that the Delhi Waqf Board should have filed a review petition.
“On 12th November, the Delhi HC indeed gave a judgment. The surprising thing is that the petitioner, Save India Foundation, with an RSS background, went to court. The court ordered a survey, but in this case, the Waqf was not a party. The Delhi Waqf Board should have become a party in the case and mentioned the Waqf gazette notification. The Delhi Waqf Board should have filed a review petition in court. As a result, the court took a wrong decision,” he said.
He said that the violence that erupted was wrong but asserted that Waqf has suffered a loss and the body should approach the Supreme Court.
“What has happened is wrong. Delhi Waqf Board and its managing committee should approach the Supreme Court and state all facts and get status quo…,” he added.