A division bench comprising Justice Devinder Gupta and Justice S K Agarwal sought a reply from the Centre and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) by August 25, while issuing notices to them.

The National Heritage Protection Council (NHPC) in its plea sought the removal of all offices, bath rooms and lavatories from the premises of the tomb on Shri Aurobindo Marg in New Delhi.

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) moved by ASI counsel Mir Akhtar Hussain said ``the main gate of Safdarjung Mosque has been illegally and unauthorisedly closed by ASI and the main wall of the tomb is in a dilapidated condition with stones and bricks facing serious erosion.''

It said that the ``artistic character'' of the main gate had been damaged as the ASI had put huge nails into it to keepit permanently closed. ``The beautiful aesthetic carvings of art on the gate have been permanently damaged,'' the petition said.

The repair work being carried out by the ASI in the outer portion of the monument had ``completely'' changed its historical character as it was not done as per the norms and guidelines. ``The ASI should have taken care in using similar material in the repair work as was originally used,'' it said.

The petition said the ASI had established its office in the portion above the gate and the rooms were fitted with modern equipment and painted in different colours presenting an ugly picture in a historic monument like this.

``Irreparable damage has been caused to the monuments with doors and windows replaced according to the modern scheme of things,'' the NHPC said, adding that the act of ASI was not only ``illegal'' but contrary to the duty cast on it.

``The respondents are guilty of grave dereliction of duty and abuse of their authority on three counts -- setting up their officeillegally, changing the historic character of the monument and neglecting the serious erosion of its walls.''