Overview
- The single-judge bench held that no law bars a person from holding a religious prayer meeting inside a private home when conducted lawfully.
- The court struck down Nawagarh police notices issued under Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, a provision police had used to try to restrain the gatherings.
- Judges directed authorities not to harass the petitioners or interfere with their civil rights during lawful meetings at their residence in Godhna village.
- The state argued the petitioners had prior criminal cases and had not sought permission, but the court rejected the need for a permit and declined the state’s request for more time to respond.
- The petitioners have hosted Christian prayers since 2016 and reported a Gram Panchayat NOC was later withdrawn, and the decision echoes an Allahabad High Court ruling that also protected private prayer on private property.