Allahabad High Court issues contempt notice to DM and SSP for stopping them from offering namaz on private property

By Sandy Verma On Feb 19, 2026

The Allahabad High Court has issued a notice to the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police of Bareilly under the Contempt of Courts Act for stopping some people from offering Namaz at a private property in Mohammad Ganj village. [तारिक खान बनाम स्टेट ऑफ़ UP & 2 अन्य]

Last month, the bench had ruled that no permission was required to hold a religious prayer meeting at a private property in Uttar Pradesh. However, a resident of Mohammad Ganj village accused the authorities of not following the decision.

The division bench of Justices Atul Sridharan and Siddharth Nandan asked the state counsel to seek instructions on the plea seeking directions to restrain the authorities from interfering with prayers at the site.

The Court further ordered, “Let notices be issued to respondents No. 2 and 3 under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 for violating the order of this Court dated 27.01.2026 passed in Maranatha Full Gospel Ministries vs. State of U.P. and 2 Others : 2026:AHC:18364-DB.”

It ordered that this case be listed as new in the top ten cases on 11 March. Further, the court also stayed any action against the petitioner. “Till the next date of listing, coercive action against the petitioner shall remain in force,” the bench directed.

Last month, the court had given an important decision on the right to pray inside a private place. This decision was given after the Uttar Pradesh government noted that there is no requirement of taking permission in law.

The court ruled that no permission is required under the law to carry out work that is part of the fundamental right granted under Article 25 of the Constitution of India. However, it also made it clear that this is subject to the condition that religious services are held only within a private area of the property. The decision was delivered on January 27 while hearing two similar petitions by Maranatha Full Gospel Ministries and Emmanuel Grace Charitable Trust.