Madras HC: Homes Can’t Be Used as Prayer Meeting Halls Without Government Permission

Chennai, June 23, 2025: The Madras High Court has ruled that a residential property cannot be used as a prayer meeting hall without prior permission from the appropriate government authorities. The ruling was delivered by Justice N Anand Venkatesh while hearing a petition filed by Pastor L Joseph Wilson from Kodavasal in Tiruvarur district, who sought to overturn a 2024 order by the local tahsildar that sealed his house to prevent prayer gatherings.

In his recent judgment, Justice Venkatesh cited relevant legal precedents and clarified that permission from the concerned authority is mandatory to conduct prayer meetings in a hall. “The petitioner cannot, as a matter of right, have a prayer hall to conduct prayer meetings without obtaining permission,” he stated.

Responding to Pastor Wilson’s assurance that no public address system would be used, the judge said the issue extended beyond the use of loudspeakers. “The crux of the issue is that the petitioner cannot convert a house into a prayer hall to conduct prayer meetings. That requires proper permission from the authorities,” he observed.

The court directed the tahsildar to remove the seal on the property if it is not being used for prayer meetings. However, should the petitioner wish to formally convert the building into a prayer hall, he must obtain the necessary approval from the district collector. The judge also affirmed that the authorities are entitled to take legal action if the premises are used for prayer meetings without such permission.

Courtesy: Indian Express