No permission needed for prayer meetings at home: HC

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh high court has said that individuals can hold religious prayers or meetings in their private homes without prior permission, as long as no laws are violated. Setting aside police notices issued to residents in Janjgir-Champa for organising Christian prayer gatherings, the court said authorities cannot interfere unless such activities lead to law and order issues or public nuisance."There is no need to get prior permission from any authority for conducting prayer or prayer meetings if the same is organised without violating any law," HC stated.The court clarified that authorities remain free to take action under relevant statutes if the gatherings cause nuisance through noise pollution or create law and order situations. However, the court directed the police not to interfere with the civil rights of the petitioners or harass them under the guise of an enquiry The petitioners stated they have been organising prayer meetings for believers of Christianity since 2016 in a hall constructed on the first floor of their house. They alleged that the station house officer of Nawagarh was harassing them by serving notices under Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. They further contended that while the Godhna Gram Panchayat initially issued a no objection certificate for these meetings, it was later withdrawn under pressure.The State counsel opposed the petition, claiming that criminal cases were registered against the petitioners and they served jail time. The counsel argued that the police issued the notices because the petitioners did not seek prior permission to organise religious gatherings in their dwelling house.Setting aside the police notices dated Oct 18, 2025, Nov 22, 2025, and Feb 1, 2026, HC observed that no law restricts individuals from organising prayers in their own homes.