The Chhattisgarh High Court has ruled that individuals do not require prior permission to organise religious prayer meetings at their homes, provided no law is violated.
A single bench of Justice Naresh Kumar Chandravanshi made the observation while quashing notices issued by police to two petitioners and directed authorities not to interfere with their civil rights.
The case relates to two relatives from Godhna village in Janjgir-Champa district who had been organising prayer meetings in a hall on the first floor of their residence since 2016.
Despite no disturbance or unlawful activity during these gatherings, local police had issued notices under Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, to prevent them from holding such meetings.
The high court, however, held that there is no legal requirement for prior permission to conduct prayer meetings in a private dwelling if no law is violated.
Authorities are free to act under relevant laws in case of noise pollution or any law and order issue, but cannot interfere otherwise.
