Delhi's Turkman Gate Demolition: Illegal Structures Removed, Mosque Safely Intact

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In a carefully executed operation, municipal authorities in Delhi's Turkman Gate area removed illegal structures on public land, as per a court directive. The demolition, which began at midnight and concluded at 7 am, targeted a century-old banquet hall and diagnostic centre that had encroached on 36,400 square feet of land near Ramlila Maidan. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) deputy commissioner, Vivek Aggarwal, confirmed that the action was taken as per the Delhi High Court's order, issued on November 12. Aggarwal emphasized that the mosque, Masjid Syed Elahi, was left untouched and remains completely safe. The demolition process, which involved a team of 32 bulldozers, four heavy Poclain machines, and pneumatic hammers, was met with resistance from locals who allegedly threw stones at the MCD team. However, police personnel were able to control the situation, and no MCD personnel were injured. This development comes amidst a backdrop of controversy surrounding the MCD's decision to remove structures from land adjoining the mosque and a graveyard. A plea filed by the managing committee of Masjid Syed Elahi had prompted the high court to issue a notice, directing the MCD and the Land and Development Office to file their responses. The matter is scheduled to be heard on April 22. On December 22, the MCD had issued a notice declaring all structures beyond 0.195 acres, housing the mosque, liable to be demolished as part of an anti-encroachment drive. The notice cited the lack of documentary proof to establish ownership of the managing committee or the Delhi Waqf Board of the remaining land.