Drone images from the recent demolition operation near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid in the Turkman Gate area of Old Delhi revealed that the mosque itself was untouched during the anti-encroachment action of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi—despite tension and clashes triggered in the area by the exercise.
Footage clearly shows before-and-after shots of the site: it only removed illegal encroachments around the mosque, which included a diagnostic centre, guest house, and community hall, among others; the actual mosque building remained intact.
What the Drone Footage Reveals
Mosque Structure Unscathed: The structure of the Syed Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid remains undamaged from the demolitions carried out from the side of the MCD.
Encroachments Cleared: The surrounding structures that were deemed to be unauthorised by order of the court were demolished as a result of a directive by the Delhi High Court. The extent of the land that was found to be encroached upon and subsequently cleared measured about 36,000 square feet.
Authorities’ Assurance: The assurance from government officials and even a Delhi minister is that only illegal constructions were affected and the mosque was not touched.
However, this clarification rejects several pieces of information on social media sites that reported the tearing down of the mosque itself, which was subsequently labelled as misleading and untrue by the police.
What does the drone footage reveal?
Mosque Structure Intact: The Syed Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid mosque remains unaffected in its structure despite the demolition drive conducted by MCD.
Encroachments Cleared: Unauthorised encroaching structures around the project were knocked down consequent to an order from the Delhi High Court. A 36,000 sq. ft. land region alleged to be under encroachment was among the areas cleared.
Authorities’ Assurance: “Only illegal buildings were targeted during the operation, and the mosque was left alone,” said a politician from the capital of Delhi.
This goes against several rumours that were circulating in social media circles, claiming that the mosque itself is being torn down, and were labelled by the police as misleading and unsubstantiated.
Background: What Happened at Turkman Gate
Demolition Drive
MCD, on January 7, 2026, followed the order of the Delhi High Court and started demolishing illegal constructions near the Ramlila Maidan area at Turkman Gate, right next to the mosque. Heavy machinery, including bulldozers, and massive manpower were engaged in conducting the clearance as ordered by the court.
Clashes and Rumors
Ahead of the operation, WhatsApp audio messages and social media posts, claiming a mosque would be demolished, had begun to circulate. This did nothing to soothe a crowd of over 200 people, who congregated and clashed with police and MCD teams, injuring at least five officers.
The police confirmed that the rumours are under investigation, and certain social media influencers as well as some group administrators whose posts contributed to the spreading of rumours have been identified.
Police Response
Security forces, comprising Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel, were employed to control the situation during the demolition. Tear gas has also been used by the government to control groups that were stoning members of the security forces, while at least 10 have been arrested.
Official Announcements & Reassurances
Representatives from the government emphasised that:
The operation was only against the illegal intrusion, not the mosque itself.
Demolitions were carried out in a strictly legal manner, with no purpose to affect religious buildings.
Officials asked citizens not to believe any unprompted rumours and assured them that social media is under close surveillance to avoid fuelling any possible confusion.
These sentiments have been echoed by Delhi ministers and police spokesmen, who clarified that the mosque is still intact and was never a target for demolition.
Why This Explanation is Important
The area around Turkman Gate is a thickly populated and historically sensitive neighbourhood, in which civic actions near religious sites can easily inflame public sentiment. Precise information helps in avoiding misconceptions that result in communal harmony or law-and-order issues.
They released before-and-after drone footage to serve as transparent evidence that the mosque, being a place of worship, had not been damaged, amidst extensive unverified claims across social platforms.
Mosque Intact, Enforcement Action Directed at Illicit Buildings
Satellite images and government records make it clear that Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid in Delhi’s Turkman Gate is an undemolished structure and was not touched in the MCD’s demolition drive ordered by the court. The drive was only for illegal encroachments surrounding it, as per judicial and administrative plans.
This miscommunication, fuelled by inaccurate rumours on social media sites, led to violence and conflicts between residents and members of the security forces—and illustrates the value of accurate information in a given situation.
While the probe into the people posting inflammatory contents and participating in the stone-pelting spree is still under process, the government is now using both law enforcement and community engagement efforts to ensure that there is peace and the law is upheld in the region of Old Delhi
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