An anti-encroachment drive carried out by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) near the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque, close to Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, led to tension and clashes early on Wednesday after false claims spread on social media that the mosque was being demolished.

The demolition was carried out after a Delhi High Court order, which directed authorities to remove illegal structures built on public land around the mosque while ensuring that the mosque itself was not harmed. Officials said the operation was conducted with instructions to maintain law and order. However, misleading videos and messages circulating online claimed that bulldozers were targeting the mosque, which triggered protests.

According to the Delhi Police, some protesters resorted to stone-pelting during the night. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and restore order. Officials said only minimal force was used and the situation was brought under control shortly afterwards.

An analysis by India Today’s OSINT team showed that the demolished structures were recent constructions, built only last year on Ramlila Maidan, which is public land. Satellite images from May 2025 showed new building footprints where the land was previously vacant, confirming illegal encroachment. These included a marriage hall and a charitable medical centre that had come up in phases.

Footage from the site confirmed that only these unauthorised structures were removed, while the century-old Faiz-e-Elahi mosque remained completely untouched. Videos circulating from the spot showed people shouting slogans and calling others to gather to “protect the mosque,” based on incorrect information.

MCD Deputy Commissioner Vivek Aggarwal said that only the encroached area of Ramlila Maidan was cleared and stressed that the mosque was safe. He said the demolition was conducted after officials found no documents proving legal ownership or possession of the land by the managing committee of the Delhi Waqf Board.

The action followed a Delhi High Court directive issued in November, which gave the MCD and Delhi PWD three months to clear nearly 38,940 square feet of encroached land. Delhi Police have registered cases under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. Authorities said videos spreading false narratives are being investigated, and police will continue to maintain a strong presence in the area to ensure peace.