The Chhattisgarh High Court has ruled that individuals do not need prior permission from authorities to organise religious prayer meetings in their homes, as long as no law is violated.
The observation came while hearing a petition filed by Badri Prasad Sahu and Rajkumar Sahu from Janjgir Champa district, who challenged police notices stopping them from holding Christian prayer meetings at their residence in Godhna village.
A single bench of Justice Naresh Kumar Chandravanshi delivered the order on March 24, making it clear that there is no legal requirement to seek permission for such gatherings inside private property.
“There is no need to get prior permission from any authority for conducting prayer meetings if the same is organised without violating any law,” the court said.
Police action challenged by petitioners
The petitioners told the court that they had been organising prayer meetings since 2016 in a hall built on the first floor of their house. They alleged that the local police were harassing them by issuing notices under Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
They also said that the village panchayat had earlier given a no objection certificate for the gatherings but later withdrew it under pressure.
On the other hand, the state argued that the petitioners had not taken prior permission and also pointed to past criminal cases against them while justifying the police action.
Court protects civil rights, sets limits on police interference
After hearing both sides, the High Court quashed the police notices and directed authorities not to interfere in the petitioners’ civil rights.
“The petitioners are registered owners of the land where they have been organising prayer meetings since 2016. There is no law restraining any person from holding prayer meetings in their dwelling house,” the court noted.
However, the court clarified that authorities can take action if there are issues like noise pollution or any law and order problems.
“The police authorities are directed not to interfere with the civil rights of the petitioners and shall not harass them under the guise of enquiry,” the order stated.
Similar view by Allahabad High Court
Earlier this year, the Allahabad High Court had delivered a similar ruling, stating that no permission is required to hold religious prayer meetings on private property.
The latest order reinforces the legal position that private religious gatherings are allowed under law, provided they do not disturb public order or violate existing regulations.
