India, Oct. 29 -- The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to allow worshippers access to the Race Course mosque, even as the Centre assured no coercive action will be taken against the religious structure for the time being.

Justice Anish Dayal, while hearing a petition to protect the mosque situated on a Lutyens' Delhi land parcel that was recently taken over by the Centre for "public purpose", noted the ongoing demolition work around the structure and said, "If somebody gets injured, who is going to pay compensation?"

Union Government standing counsel Ashish Dixit submitted that the authorities will decide a representation by the Delhi Waqf Board on the issue within four weeks and no coercive action would be taken in the meantime. In...