Allahabad HC: Court protection no shield for large namaz gatherings
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Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court closed a contempt case against Bareilly's District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for restricting namaz at a private home in UP's Mohammad Ganj village, ruling that court protection doesn't allow mass gatherings.
On January 18, police arrested 12 Muslim men for offering Friday prayers in an empty house and fined owner Haseen Khan. A resident filed contempt, alleging non-compliance with HC orders allowing private prayers without permission.
Justices Atul Sreedharan and Siddharth Nandan had summoned officials and granted protection. At the March 25 hearing, the court accepted explanations, freed them from contempt, and quashed the challan via SHO order.
The bench accused petitioner Haseen Khan of "misusing" protection by hosting 52-62 people for namaz, risking peace. "If such practice continued, it could be detrimental to the peace and tranquility of the area, and under the garb of personal protection, this cannot be permitted," it noted, obliging authorities to act on disturbances.
Court disposed petition, accepting Khan's undertaking for small gatherings. Authorities can enforce law if violated; security was also withdrawn at his request.
