After Turkmen Gate, Delhi High Court Orders Probe Into Encroachment Near Jama Masjid
After Turkmen Gate, Delhi High Court Orders Probe Into Encroachment Near Jama Masjid
M.U.H
08/01/202634
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday ordered a detailed probe into encroachments in and around Jama Masjid, saying that “if any illegal construction is found, the law must take its course."
The order came on a plea filed by a resident of Old Delhi, alleging illegal parking and construction near the historic mosque. The plea also claimed that public land was being commercially exploited and that such encroachments were damaging the cultural heritage of Jama Masjid.
The court asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to conduct a comprehensive survey of the area and remove any unauthorised structures.
The development comes in the wake of tensions near Turkman Gate, where an MCD demolition drive led to violence on Wednesday.
The demolition was conducted near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid and an adjoining graveyard after a High Court order on the same day. During the drive, around 30 bulldozers, 50 dumpers, and over 300 civic workers were deployed.
Police said around 100-150 people gathered before the operation and clashed with authorities, throwing stones and glass bottles. Five police personnel sustained minor injuries.
Police registered an FIR against unidentified individuals and detained several people in connection with the violence. CCTV footage and witness statements are being analysed to identify those involved.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Nidhin Valsan said the force used minimal means to disperse the crowd and assured strict action against anyone found guilty.
Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh defended the MCD’s actions, saying all illegal structures would be removed and that rumours and misinformation had contributed to the violence.
“MCD followed the court order. There was an illegal occupation on the Ramlila ground where a banquet hall was operating. All illegal structures will be removed. While we talk about public welfare, some religious people try to mislead the public and spread rumours, which lead to such incidents (stone-pelting). Such incidents will not have any effect as we want to have a clean Delhi," Singh noted.
