Overview
- A division bench of Justices Atul Sreedharan and Siddharth Nandan issued the order on January 27 while disposing of two writ petitions.
- The court ruled that prayer meetings confined to private property are covered by the fundamental right to freedom of religion under Article 25.
- The Uttar Pradesh government informed the court that no legal requirement exists to seek permission for purely private religious gatherings.
- If any part of a gathering moves onto public roads or property, organizers must inform police and secure permissions required by law.
- The court affirmed the state's duty to protect the petitioners’ life, property, and rights, leaving the method of protection to police discretion.