By Admin 
The encroachment case related to Delhi’s historical Ramlila Maidan has simultaneously shaken the politics, administration and law and order of the capital. ABP News has gathered exclusive information on the matter. The whole matter started after a complaint by an NGO named Save India Foundation. This has now turned into a major legal and administrative conflict between the Delhi High Court, MCD, Delhi Waqf Board, L&DO and DDA. The bulldozer action on the night of 6 January made this entire dispute more sensitive.
Save India Foundation had filed a complaint in MCD regarding illegal encroachment on the land of Ramlila Maidan. It was alleged in the complaint that illegal construction on public land is being used for commercial purposes and it should be removed immediately. Taking cognizance of this complaint, L&DO, DDA and MCD jointly conducted a joint survey on 16 October 2025.
Shocking revelations in joint survey
The joint survey revealed that illegal encroachment has been done on 2512 square feet of PWD land and footpath. There is 36,428 square feet of Ramlila Maidan land, which was given by L&DO to MCD. A wedding procession, parking of vehicles and a diagnostic center were set up illegally on it. This land was for public use, but it was being misused commercially, which the administration considered a serious violation.
Petition and strict instructions in Delhi High Court
Save India Foundation filed a petition in the Delhi High Court regarding the matter. On November 12, 2025, the High Court directed the MCD to take action to remove illegal encroachment within three months. All parties should be given full opportunity of being heard
MCD hearing Waqf Board vs L&DO
The first hearing on the case took place on 24 November 2025. Representatives of the Management Committee of Faiz Ilahi Masjid, Delhi Waqf Board, DDA and L&DO attended the meeting chaired by DC (L&E), MCD. L&DO clearly said that the disputed land was never given to Delhi Waqf Board. Whereas the Management Committee and Waqf Board asked for time to present the ownership documents.
The second hearing took place on 16 December 2025. Tehsildar also participated in this meeting. The management committee claimed that Dargah Faiz-e-Ilahi is more than 100 years old. Even before independence, there was a mosque and a cemetery here. This is Waqf By User land, hence no separate document is required. Delhi Waqf Board declared ownership rights on 0.195 acres of land on the basis of records of 1940. L&DO also admitted that according to the sale deed dated 15 February 1940, only 0.195 acres of land belonged to Waqf.
Everything beyond 0.195 acres is illegal-MCD
After both the hearings, MCD concluded that in 1959, L&DO had given 30 acres of land to MCD as Ramlila Maidan at a license fee of Re 1. There is no such document available to prove that the disputed land was given to the Waqf Board. Even in the Gazette Notification of 1970, there is no concrete evidence of the disputed land. Only 0.195 acres of land could be confirmed. MCD clearly said that the use of wedding procession and diagnostic center is misuse of public land. Buildings constructed in an area of more than 0.195 acres are completely illegal and should be removed
January 6 hearing and bulldozer action in High Court
Hearing was held again in Delhi High Court on 6 January 2026. The court said that the matter is maintainable and issued a notice to the Ministry of Urban Development, MCD Delhi Waqf Board and sought their reply. However, the status quo that the management committee expected was not achieved. After this, on the night of 6 January, MCD started bulldozing action in the presence of heavy police and paramilitary forces. As soon as the bulldozer reached the disputed site, a crowd of hundreds of people gathered around the Dargah. Stones were pelted at security forces.
To control the situation, police and paramilitary forces released tear gas shells. All roads leading to the mosque and Dargah were barricaded. Even the narrow streets were sealed. Only after cordoning off the entire area, MCD started the action to remove encroachment.
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