The Centre on Tuesday gave an oral assurance to the Delhi High Court that it will not take any coercive action against the Race Course Masjid until Thursday.

The oral assurance came on a petition filed by a worshipper, Syed Ahmed Saud — represented by advocate M Sufian Siddiqui — who sought unrestricted access to the mosque as well as protection against its demolition.

Arguing that “worshippers (are) being prevented from entering the mosque”, Siddiqui said “there is complete abdication of duty by the Delhi Waqf Board, by not taking due measures” to protect the 1977 Waqf-notified property.

Saud, in his plea, has flagged that the Waqf Board’s failure so far to “secure effective protection or disclose adequate legal steps despite knowledge of the threatened demolition” and “continuing restrictions constitutes a serious prima facie deficiency in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities”.

The mosque, located on the Race Course ground premises and opposite the Prime Minister’s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan…