HC slams State over Ramzan Prayer limit: ‘If officials can’t enforce Law, Resign or Transfer’

In a sharp intervention concerning religious freedoms during Ramzan, the Allahabad High Court scrutinized the State’s move to limit the number of worshipers at a disputed site in Sambhal. The Court signaled serious questions about the State’s role in restricting prayers on what could be private property, promising a decisive observation on administrative overreach.

The controversy began when the petitioner raised an objection to a state-imposed limit allowing only 20 worshipers at Gata No.291, where he claimed a mosque exists. Counsel for the petitioner argued that during Ramzan, a significantly larger congregation would come to offer Namaz and that no photographs or proper evidence had been filed to justify the restriction.

The State, meanwhile, disputed ownership of the land, listing it under private individuals Mohan Singh and Bhooraj Singh, and cited potential law-and-order concerns to justify limiting worshipers. The dispute triggered fresh filings, including supplementary affidavits and revenue records, to establish the location and rightful exercise of religious practice.

The Court decisively rejected the State’s contentions, asserting that “It is the duty of the State to ensure that every community is able to offer worship peacefully in the designated place of worship… If the local authorities feel they are not competent enough to enforce the rule of law, they should either resign or seek transfer.” 

Emphasizing that restrictions on private property are unjustified, the Court held that State permission is only necessary when public land is involved. The matter was scheduled for further hearing on 16 March 2026, with directions to submit photographs and revenue records.