Allahabad high court orders 24/7 security for UP man ‘stopped from offering namaz at home’ | Prayagraj News

PRAYAGRAJ: The Allahabad high court has ordered round-the-clock security for a Bareilly resident in Mohammad Ganj village after he claimed he was prevented from offering Namaz at his private property, fearing potential demolition. The court said any incident of violence that afflicts Haseen Khan or his property shall be prima facie understood to have been at the instance of the state, which is open to rebuttal. A division bench comprising Justices Atul Sreedharan and Siddharth Nandan passed this order on Wednesday after recording Khan’s statement that police had forced him to put a thumb impression on a paper without telling him about its contents. In a statement recorded in court, Khan alleged that certain individuals warned him that his property would be demolished if he did not testify as directed. After recording this statement, which is now a part of the order, the high court issued clear instructions for Khan’s protection, saying, “He has appeared before this court and stated that his family and property may be protected. This court directs that two armed guards shall protect him 24/7 till this court decides otherwise.” Now, the court has listed this writ petition filed by another Bareilly resident, Tarik Khan, for the passing of final orders on Mar 23. The HC had ruled on Jan 27 that individuals don’t need permission to pray on private premises, citing the fundamental right to freedom of religion under Article 25 of the Constitution. It had taken into account Uttar Pradesh govt’s submission that no such permission is required by law. The court had clarified that the right to pray in private premises applies as long as religious meetings are held within the property. This ruling had come in response to petitions from Maranatha Full Gospel Ministries and Emmanuel Grace Charitable Trust.Despite this verdict, the authorities in Bareilly recently took action against a group of Muslims for offering prayers on the rooftop of a private house. The residents had approached the authorities for permission to hold prayers inside the property, especially during the month of Ramzan. However, the authorities allegedly failed to take any action on the representation. Tarik Khan then moved the HC, alleging non-compliance with the Jan 27 ruling. The court initially issued a notice under the Contempt of Courts Act to district magistrate Avinash Singh and Bareilly SSP Anurag Arya. In the present order dated Mar 11, the HC also directed the Bareilly DM and SSP to be present before the court on the next hearing on Mar 23.The court also warned that if both the contemnors do not appear, the court shall secure their presence through a non-bailable warrant.