'No prior approval needed for prayer at home': HC curtails police interference in Private Religious gatherings

Recently, in a strong assertion of personal liberty, the Chhattisgarh High Court has made it clear that prayer inside one’s home is not subject to prior State approval, setting aside police notices issued to residents in Janjgir-Champa. The Court draws a sharp boundary; private religious gatherings remain beyond official interference unless they spill over into public disorder or violate the law, sending a clear message against intrusive policing of faith within the four walls of a home.

The case arose when two residents, who had been hosting Christian prayer gatherings at their home since 2016, were served repeated notices by the local police under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The petitioners alleged sustained harassment, claiming that even a previously granted no-objection certificate by the village panchayat was later withdrawn under pressure. The State defended its action on the ground that no prior permission had been obtained and pointed to past criminal cases against the petitioners, arguing that the notices were justified.

The Court emphasised that the law does not mandate prior approval for private religious gatherings. It observed, “There is no need to get prior permission from any authority for conducting prayer… if the same is organised without violating any law.” At the same time, the Bench clarified that authorities retain the power to act if such gatherings result in noise pollution or disturb public order.

Finding the police action unjustified, the Court set aside the impugned notices and directed authorities not to interfere with the petitioner's lawful activities.

Source Link