New Delhi, Nov. 3 -- The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government told the Delhi High Court that the 100-year-old mosque, located in a government office complex in the national capital, needs to be demolished as it is "incompatible" with the "secular character" of the property.

The Qadeemi Masjid is located in the open courtyard of the Krishi Bhawan complex, headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.

The Centre's status report filed through the Land and Development Office (L&DO) contends that the mosque is built on government land and that its committee was given only permissive or temporary possession.

The government said the complex was designated solely for administrative, government, or public service even...