New Delhi, July 31 - While agreeing that removal of illegal shrines existing in public places can create law and order problems, the Supreme Court Friday asked the government to ensure that no new temple, church, mosque or gurdwara comes up without permission on public land and, if it does, the local official responsible be punished.

A bench of Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justisce Mukundkam Sharma sought this assurance from the government on an affidavit within four week.

'The solicitor general will file an affidavit to ensure that no temple, church, mosque or gurdwara is constructed on a public street or a public space,' the bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and M.K. Sharma said.

It was hearing a lawsuit by the central government challenging a Gujarat High Court judgement of 2006 ordering demolition of several places of worship of various faiths that had mushroomed illegally on public thoroughfares and other public places.

The high court's ruling, however, had been suspended by the apex court in May 2006 on an urgent lawsuit by the central government.

The bench said it can appreciate that there would be severe law and order problems if the existing religious structures are demolished.

'But the government must ensure that no new religious structure should come up on public streets and public places,' it said.