What was razed at Delhi’s Turkman Gate? Mosque untouched, encroachments cleared — footage reveals

• Mosque near Turkman Gate left untouched as illegal encroachments were demolished
• MCD removed diagnostic center, guest house, and hall as per court orders.
• 11 arrested after demolition drive violence; investigation continues

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Delhi Police on Thursday released an official video of the demolition drive carried out near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque area in central Delhi. The footage shows the condition of the site before and after the action, highlighting what authorities described as large-scale illegal encroachment on government land.

The demolition was carried out by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) following court orders. Officials said a diagnostic centre, a guest house and a community hall were removed during the anti-encroachment drive. The structures were located near the Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid, close to Ramlila Maidan in the Turkman Gate area.

According to the police, the video was released to give a clear and factual picture of the situation and to counter misinformation. The footage shows how several structures linked to the mosque had spread across a wide stretch of land. After the demolition, the area appears largely cleared, with a significant portion of government land reclaimed, News18 reported.

Police officials said the video was meant to show both the scale of the encroachment and the changes after the demolition. They added that the drive was conducted strictly as per court directions and with adequate security arrangements.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police have arrested six more people in connection with the violence that broke out during the demolition operation. With these arrests, the total number of people taken into custody in the case has risen to 11, of which 10 are adults and one juvenile has been detained.

Police said that out of around 35 people suspected to be involved in the violence, 25 have been identified so far.

The identification was done using CCTV footage from the area and body-worn camera videos of police personnel who were deployed during the drive. However, officials clarified that not all identified individuals have been arrested yet, as the investigation is still ongoing and evidence is being verified.

According to the FIR, the violence erupted around 12.40 am when police teams began placing barricades around the encroached land.

A group of around 30 to 35 people allegedly gathered at the spot, raised slogans and later started pelting stones. This happened despite repeated warnings to disperse and the presence of prohibitory orders under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984. All those involved are residents of the Turkman Gate area.