No permission from govt needed to pray within pvt premises: HC

Prayagraj: Observing that petitioner has right to conduct prayer as per convenience on his private premises without any permission from state govt, Allahabad High Court, on Wednesday, directed district magistrate and SSP, Bareilly to appear on Mar 23. The matter is related to petitioner Tariq Khan, who was allegedly not permitted to perform of namaz inside his house. The order was passed by a division bench bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Siddhartha Nandan on a petition filed by Tariq Khan of Bareilly. On Feb 12, court had granted time to the counsel for the UP govt to seek instructions in the case and had Issued notice to district magistrate and SSP, Bareilly under Contempt of Courts Act for flouting the high court's order dated Jan 27, passed in Maranatha Full Gospel Ministries Vs State of Uttar Pradesh and two others. In the petition, it was alleged that respondent authorities did not give permission to perform namaz inside the house of the petitioner Jan 16. In the case of Maranatha Full Gospel Ministries, court had observed, "The writ petition is disposed of by observing that the petitioner has right to conduct the prayer as per convenience on his private premises without any permission from state government. However, if any occasion arises, where it has to spill over to a public road or public property, this court mandates the petitioner at least intimate the police and take requisite permission under the law, if so required."