- Reuters
- September 24, 2026
Parts of Madina Masjid, homes demolished in late-night Shalimar Bagh drive in Delhi
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- WEB DESK
- September 24, 2026
Parts of Madina Masjid and several adjoining structures were demolished during a late-night anti-encroachment operation in India’s Delhi Shalimar Bagh, with civic authorities saying the action was linked to a road-widening project and local residents and mosque representatives questioning the notice and legal process.
The demolition took place late Tuesday night in the Haiderpur area, near the road leading towards Max Hospital, amid a heavy police presence, according to reports by ETV Bharat, Maktoob Media and Muslim Mirror.
Bulldozers were deployed to remove structures that authorities described as encroachments along the road. The operation also affected a portion of Madina Masjid and nearby residential properties.
Mosque committee disputes demolition process
The mosque committee has disputed the manner in which the demolition was carried out, saying it had sought clarification and legal recourse over notices issued by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
Mobin Khan, president of Madina Masjid, told Maktoob that the committee had requested legible copies of documents so it could prepare a response on legal advice. He said the MCD subsequently issued multiple notices warning that demolition would take place within 15 days.
Khan said the committee approached the relevant appellate tribunal and presented documents that, according to him, showed that three floors of the mosque had been constructed in 2001. He also said the committee asked for the age of the building’s plaster to be examined as part of its argument regarding the structure’s age.
According to Khan, the committee maintained that the legal proceedings and documents it submitted had not been adequately considered before the demolition.
The mosque’s imam, Zarifur Rehman, also questioned the basis for classifying the structure as illegal. He said the mosque committee had responded to proceedings and appeared before the MCD after receiving court-related notices.
Rehman alleged that despite the committee presenting its position, the civic body subsequently issued a notice giving a 15-day period for demolition.
Residents raise questions over midnight action
The demolition drew residents and others to the site, with locals questioning why the operation was carried out at night and seeking clarity over the orders authorising the action.
A local mosque committee member identified by ETV Bharat as Amitabh claimed that residents were told there was ongoing litigation concerning the mosque but that demolition orders were not shown to them when requested.
He further alleged that residents were prevented from speaking directly to the relevant officer and said they had been expecting a court hearing concerning the mosque in October.
The claims could not be independently verified from the reports.
Muslim Mirror reported that some residents said they had received demolition notices beforehand, although the publication said it could not independently establish the timing or manner in which those notices were served.
AIMIM leader reaches site as demolition begins
AIMIM Delhi president Shoaib Jamai reached the site after learning about the demolition and criticised the operation.
According to Maktoob, Jamai alleged that the religious structure was subject to ongoing legal proceedings and objected to the use of bulldozers at night.
He said a large police contingent had restricted access to the area and that people were prevented from approaching the mosque. Jamai also told the publication that he and his associates entered the mosque after being informed that the Quran and other belongings remained inside and removed them before the demolition continued.
Jamai described the action as an attempt to replicate demolition practices seen elsewhere in India, a characterisation that represents his political view of the operation.
Authorities cite road-widening project
Civic authorities have maintained that the demolition formed part of an ongoing road-widening and anti-encroachment operation.
According to the reports, officials said notices had been issued before the action and that structures considered encroachments were being removed to clear the road corridor. The operation was subsequently halted, with bulldozers withdrawn from the site, while police remained deployed in the area amid concerns over a possible law-and-order situation.
The demolition has since triggered questions over the treatment of the mosque and adjoining properties, the adequacy of prior notice and the legal process followed before the structures were removed.
