No State Permission Needed for Prayer Meetings in Private Premises: Allahabad High Court

Prayagraj February 03, 2026: The Allahabad High Court has ruled that no permission from the state is required to hold a religious prayer meeting within private premises in Uttar Pradesh. However, the Court clarified that permission would be necessary if such gatherings extend to public roads or public property.

The ruling was delivered by a Division Bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Siddharth Nandan while hearing petitions filed by Maranatha Full Gospel Ministries and Emmanuel Grace Charitable Trust. The Court took into account the Uttar Pradesh government’s submission that the law does not mandate prior permission for conducting prayer meetings on private property.

Referring to the state’s instructions, the bench noted that there is no legal prohibition on individuals conducting religious prayer meetings within their own premises. It further observed that equal protection of the law is guaranteed to all citizens without discrimination on the basis of religion or any other consideration.

The Court held that conducting a religious prayer meeting within private premises forms part of the fundamental right guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution of India. Consequently, no state permission is required for such an activity, provided it remains confined to private property.

At the same time, the bench made it clear that if a prayer meeting spills over into public spaces such as roads or public property, the organisers must inform the police and obtain any permissions required under the law.

The petitions arose after the organisations submitted that they intended to hold religious congregations within their premises, but the state authorities failed to act on their representations seeking permission. After considering the submissions, the Court disposed of the petitions, affirming the petitioners’ right to conduct prayer meetings at their convenience within their private premises without state approval.

The Court also stated that the state may decide the manner in which protection is to be provided, if required, during such gatherings. It added that ensuring the protection of the petitioners’ property, rights, and lives remains a duty of the state, and the method of providing such protection lies within the discretion of the police.

Advocates Manoj Kumar and Akal Raj Singh appeared on behalf of the petitioners.

Source: Bar and Bench

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