New Delhi, Aug. 20 -- The Centre on Thursday told the Delhi high court that it had directed intermediaries to take down within 24 hours allegedly derogatory and inflammatory content concerning Shirdi Sai Baba, saying it could hurt religious sentiments and spread rapidly if allowed to continue.

A bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma was hearing a petition filed by Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi, seeking removal of the content against the deity.

The Centre's lawyer submitted that the decision was taken by its Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) on August 13, in compliance with the court's previous order asking it to take a call on the removal within seven days.

During the hearing, the trust's lawyer, represented by senior advocate ...