Houses Can't Be Used As Prayer Halls Without Proper Permission From Authorities: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently reaffirmed that residential properties cannot be converted into prayer halls without obtaining prior approval from the relevant authorities.

The petitioner runs the "Word of God Ministries Trust," established in 2007. He purchased a property in 2023, where regular prayer meetings were conducted with family and neighbors. After a complaint was filed regarding these gatherings, an enquiry was conducted by the police. The petitioner then applied for building permission and plan approval to construct a Church, but the application was rejected by the District Collector. Subsequently, the Tahsildar issued a notice ordering closure of the prayer house within 10 days. Challenging this action, the petitioner filed a writ petition before the Madras High Court.

The Single Bench of Justice N. Anand Venkatesh observed, “conducting prayer meetings in a prayer hall requires obtaining permission from the authority concerned under the relevant rules. Hence, the petitioner cannot, as a matter of right, have a prayer hall to conduct prayer meetings without obtaining any permission.”

Further the Court stated, “The property shall not be utilised as a prayer hall for conducting prayer meetings and if the petitioner intends to convert the property into a prayer hall, the petitioner is directed to approach the District Collector and seek for permission. If the petitioner once again attempts to utilise the property as a prayer hall, it is left open to the respondents to proceed further in accordance with law.”

Accordingly, the Bench directed the second respondent to unseal the property, allowing the petitioner to regain possession.

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