New Delhi, Nov. 3 -- The Centre has informed the Delhi High Court that Qadeemi Masjid, situated within the Krishi Bhawan complex in central Delhi, is required to be removed to facilitate the redevelopment and reconstruction of Common Central Secretariat (CCS) Buildings 4 and 5 under the Central Vista Redevelopment Master Plan.

In a status report filed through the Land and Development Office (L&DO), the Union Government has maintained that the mosque stands on government-owned land and that the caretaking committee was granted only permissive possession of the premises under an agreement executed on November 8, 1940. The Centre has contended that the agreement did not confer any ownership rights, title or interest in the property upon the...