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NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Thursday refused to allow worshippers access to the Race Course mosque, even as the Centre assured the court that no coercive action would be taken against the religious structure for the time being.Justice Anish Dayal, while hearing a petition seeking protection for the mosque on a Lutyens’ Delhi land parcel taken over by the Centre for “public purpose”, noted the ongoing demolition work around the structure and questioned who would be liable if someone got injured.“If somebody gets injured, who is going to pay compensation?” the judge asked, news agency PTI reported.Union government standing counsel Ashish Dixit submitted that the authorities would decide on a representation by the Delhi Waqf Board within four weeks. He assured the court that no coercive action would be taken in the meantime.Responding to the petitioner’s request to allow entry and exit for prayers, Dixit said access would not be safe at this stage because of the ongoing demolition work around the mosque.“Let it go. Let them decide. It is a fair submission. We can’t force them to give access for prayers,” the court told the petitioner’s lawyer.Dixit also said that worshippers were currently not being allowed access to a temple on the site, PTI reported.Syed Ahmed Saud has approached the court seeking protection for the Race Course mosque, a notified Waqf property since 1977, located within the precincts of Jaipur Polo Ground.He has also sought restoration of access to the mosque and protection against demolition.The Centre took over Jaipur Polo Ground in June and the adjoining Delhi Race Club in August.Earlier, the Centre’s counsel had submitted that electricity and water supplies to the mosque had been discontinued to avoid any risk to the public during the demolition of other structures on the premises.The petitioner’s counsel argued that the mosque was a Grade II protected structure and that any change affecting its existence required approval from the Heritage and Conservation Committee.He also contended that the authorities had prohibited the petitioner from offering namaz at the mosque without issuing any notice or order, allegedly violating Articles 14 and 25 of the Constitution.The plea stated, “On 21.10.2026, the petitioner, along with his friends, personally visited the subject masjid with the intention of offering namaz. However, upon reaching the recently installed iron gates at the entrance to the Race Course Compound, they were categorically denied entry by the security personnel stationed there.”It further stated, “While the petitioner does not suggest that every restriction upon access constitutes conversion within the meaning of the Act, the State cannot disregard the historical religious character of the subject masjid when contemplating measures capable of permanently affecting its existence or religious identity.”The matter will be heard next on December 16.(With agency inputs)
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