India, Nov. 3 -- The Centre has told the Delhi High Court that a century-old mosque in Krishi Bhawan has to be removed as the establishment of a permanent religious structure within the confines of a Government office complex is impermissible and incompatible with the "secular" character of Government property.

The Government said the Central Vista Redevelopment Master Plan provides for the redevelopment and reconstruction of the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) Buildings 4 and 5 at Plot number 120, covering the footprint of the existing Shastri Bhawan and Krishi Bhawan to modernise the infrastructure essential to the governance of the nation.

It said the construction of CCS buildings 4 and 5 is a public project of paramount national im...