New Delhi, Apr 10 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the prayer meeting to be conducted by the Christian community at 5 PM today at Bicholi Hapsi in Indore in Madhya Pradesh.
The prayer meeting was opposed by some groups.
A three-judge Bench comprising Justice B.R. Gavai, Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, and Justice Sandeep Mehta found that the revocation of the prayer meeting was unjustified and allowed the petitioner to hold the prayer meeting today at 5 p.m.
It may be noted that initially, on April 5, 2024, the permission to hold the meeting from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. was granted by the Officer of Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Bicholi Hapsi with 27 conditions.
However, later, on April 07, 2024, the same was revoked, citing apprehensions of disruption of law and order situation.
Senior Advocate Santosh Paul appearing for the petitioner argued that the order of revocation was passed after various Hindu and other social organizations complained to the competent authority in this regard.
When the order was challenged before the High Court, the same was dismissed by Justice Subodh Abhyankar, holding: “ that it might be true that the intention of the petitioner to convene such meeting must be purely religious, however, the concern raised by the respondents can also not be said to be unfounded, looking to the various objections they have received from other religious organizations.
In such circumstances, the possibility of apprehension raised by the respondents of disruption of law and order situation can also not be said to be unsubstantiated.”
However, the Supreme Court today allowed the Prayer meeting while making it clear that the earlier conditions as imposed by the competent authority shall be adhered to.
The Apex Court directed, “The petitioner will be entitled to hold the prayer meeting at 5:00 p.m. today, i.e., 10 April 2024, however, the same shall be subject to the petitioner's strictly complying with the directions/conditions stated in the order dated March 22, and April 05, 2024.”
The Top Court also directed the Registry to communicate this order forthwith to the High Court's Registrar (Judicial), who, in turn, shall communicate the same to the Collector, Indore.
Senior Advocate Santosh Paul, Advocates Lija Merin John, Sanbha Ruanong, Ajay Justice Shaw and Advocate-On-Record Aakarsh Kanra appeared for the petitioners.
The case was filed by one Mr Sureh Carletons in the Supreme Court challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s order affirming the Indore administration's decision to cancel a Christian Prayer meeting scheduled for today evening.
UNI SNG CS