Note: The research, preparation and filing of official representations before government authorities, and the subsequent court proceedings in this matter have been undertaken by Preet Sirohi through Save India Foundation, with the work backed by Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation and Rashtra Jyoti, run by Sanjeev Newar and Swati Goel Sharma, under Project Matribhoomi.
THE CASE
New Delhi, August, 2026: Government records, municipal site plans, photographs, commercial receipts, medical documents and court filings reveal extensive occupation and commercial exploitation of public land in and around Delhi’s Jama Masjid complex by the mosque’s ‘Shahi’ Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari and associated entities, as per two lawsuits filed by Save India Foundation (SIF) in different courts.
The illegal structures include:
a permanent residential structure a hospital a medical centre a paid car-parking operation an e-rickshaw charging station occupation of three public parks
The documents have been painstakingly obtained by SIF, run by activist Preet Sirohi, who first placed the material before the competent government authorities in July before taking it to two judicial forums:
1. District & Sessions Court, Central District, Tis Hazari Save India Foundation & Anr. v. Syed Ahmed Bukhari & Ors.
2. National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi Save India Foundation v. Deputy Commissioner, City S.P. Zone, MCD & Ors.
SIF has sought reliefs including independent demarcation of the occupied land, removal of unauthorised structures, restraint against continued occupation and commercial operation upon government land, restoration of possession to the lawful public authority and rendition of accounts relating to commercial exploitation.
Below are the details of the encroachments submitted to the courts:
I. Encroachments on Khasra No. 153
The first set of court proceedings concerns Khasra No. 153, Inside City Wall, Jama Masjid, Delhi-6.
The MCD layout/site plan and revenue records establish the public ownership status of this land, as per Sirohi’s petition in the district court.
The material shows that Khasra No. 153 is owned by Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
The land is meant for public utility and was never allotted, leased or transferred to the private persons occupying and commercially using it.
Evidence placed before the court shows multiple residential and commercial activities operating from this land, which are listed below:
a) Permanent Residential Structure
A permanent residential structure has been raised upon the land, as per the petition.
Sirohi has sought an independent site inspection and official demarcation so that the precise extent of occupation is established on the ground and recorded by the competent authority.
b) Imam Abdullah Bukhari Hospital
Documents placed before the court identify Imam Abdullah Bukhari Hospital as from: Inside City Wall, Khasra No. 153, opposite Gate No. 9, Meena Bazar, Cotton Market, Jama Masjid, Delhi-110006.
Material associated with the hospital advertises:
– 24-hour emergency services – blood transfusion – general surgeries – normal deliveries – Caesarean deliveries – inpatient facilities
SIF has called upon the competent authorities to verify and place on record the statutory authority under which this hospital is operating, including its registration, building permissions, fire-safety clearance and all other mandatory licences and approvals.
c) Imam Abdullah Bukhari Medical Centre
Documents filed in the proceedings identify Imam Abdullah Bukhari Medical Centre at: Inside City Wall, Khasra No. 153, Gate No. 9, Meena Bazar, Cotton Market, Jama Masjid, Delhi-110006.
SIF has also placed before the court a medical/retail invoice associated with the centre.
The competent authorities have been called upon to verify the drug licence and complete regulatory status of the establishment, including the authority under which scheduled medicines or other pharmaceutical products are being stored, distributed or sold.
d) Paid Car Parking
A parking receipt placed before the court bears the name: “Car Parking Jama Masjid Delhi Foundation Trust”
The receipt records a charge of Rs 80 for three hours of parking at the site identified with Khasra No. 153.
SIF has complained that a commercial parking operation is being conducted from public land and fees are being collected from members of the public without lawful municipal authorisation being demonstrated.
e) E-rickshaw Charging Station
The material placed before the court also documents an e-rickshaw charging station operating alongside the parking facility and other structures at the site.
The legal authority for occupation and commercial operation of this facility has also been placed in issue.
SIF did not begin with litigation.
On July 8, 2026, the Foundation submitted a detailed representation to the concerned departments of the Delhi Government regarding the occupation and commercialisation of Khasra No. 153 and sought demarcation and enforcement action.
The Foundation subsequently approached the District Court for judicial intervention.
On August 6, 2026, the court took on record, among other material:
– the complaint submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, City S.P. Zone – the application submitted to the Tehsildar (Nazul), DDA seeking certified ownership records – requests for the shajra/sizra map and Jamabandi pertaining to Khasra No. 153 – certified material relating to Khasra No. 153 and surrounding areas.
During the same proceedings, notices were issued to concerned public authorities, namely:
– Municipal Corporation of Delhi – Government of NCT of Delhi – Delhi Police – District Magistrate – Public Works Department – Directorate General of Health Services – Delhi Jal Board.
2. Encroachment on Three Public Parks
A separate proceeding concerns Park Nos. 13, 15 and 17 near Shahi Jama Masjid.
SIF has approached the National Green Tribunal concerning the occupation of these public properties by structures including rented rooms and game zones.
On August 25, 2026, the National Green Tribunal heard the Foundation’s application.
The Foundation placed before the Tribunal an official communication dated August 5, 2026, issued by the Assistant Director, Horticulture, MCD, together with the relevant site plan.
During the hearing, counsel appearing for MCD referred to an earlier Delhi High Court proceeding concerning the issue – Farhat Hasan & Ors. v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Ors. (read this report and this).
The Tribunal granted four weeks for the relevant material to be placed on record and for clarification regarding the relationship between those proceedings and Park Nos. 13, 15 and 17.
The matter was listed for November 19, 2026.
UPDATE
The district court on 17 September, 2026, ordered summons to be issued to multiple defendants in the civil suit.
The Tis Hazari Court directed that summons be served on eight defendants, namely: Syed Ahmed Bukhari; Imam Abdullah Bukhari Hospital; Imam Abdullah Bukhari Medical Centre; Car Parking Jama Masjid Delhi Foundation Trust; Government of NCT of Delhi through the Chief Secretary; the District Magistrate, Central; the Public Works Department, GNCTD; and BSES Yamuna Power Ltd.
The next hearing has been fixed for October 29, 2026.
Additionally, in mid-September, a significant portion of illegal structures as alleged in the second suit filed in NGT were razed down by the Delhi authorities.
