Bombay HC Quashes Midnight Cancellation Of Christian Prayer Event Over 'Miracle Healing' Claims; Orders Compliance With Black Magic Act

The Bombay High Court last week quashed an order, by which Sangli Police 'abruptly' cancelled the permission granted to 'Hope of Glory Ministry Trust' to conduct 'Maharashtra Prayer Festival' from March 13 to March 15, wherein popular evangelist Paul Dhinakaran delivered 'prophetic' messages and daily prayers before over 50,000 persons. 

The Police while cancelling the permissions for the event after its first day (March 13) alleged that the provisions of the Maharashtra Prevention And Eradication Of Human Sacriice And Other Inhuman, Evil And Aghori Practices And Black Magic Act, 2013 (Black Magic Act) were being breached as people delivered speeches claiming that serious diseases like Cancer and Hernia were cured by praying to 'Yeshu' (Jesus). 

A division bench of Justice Madhav Jamdar and Justice Pravin Patil in a specially sitting on March 14 at Kolhapur, noted the clarification on this very point by the organisers that "at the most it can be construed that in addition to the medical treatment the said patients have also made prayers and, therefore, their confidence has increased and resultantly their health has improved."

"This is a case where, on March 7 2026, Police granted permission. Thereafter, cancelled the said permission on March 9, 2026 and thereafter again granted the permission on March 12, 2026. Accordingly, the event was performed on March 13, 2026. The event was to be performed from March 13, 2026 to March 15, 2026 and suddenly on March 14, 2026 at 02:00 a.m., the Police informed the organisers that the permission is being cancelled. The said cancellation was abrupt. It is required to be noted that about 50,000 persons are attending the said event," the judges noted. 

The bench noted that the Police also lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against the organisers for 'misleading' the public and violating Black Magic Act provisions. It opined that even if the entire FIR is read as it is, then also it would be clear that it is not the contention of even the Police Authorities that there is any law and order situation.

"Even before us also no contention is raised that law and order is disturbed. In fact, there is nothing on record to show that any statement has been made in the said event which affects the law and order situation and there is any criticism of other religion or religious places and religious belief of people belonging to other religion. The record clearly shows that authorities are acting in illegal and malafide manner. It is very clear that the fundamental rights of the citizens who have gathered for the said event, have been violated," the bench held in the order. 

The judges further added,

"The members of the Petitioner-Trust and others i.e. about 50,000 persons have gathered for the said event are citizens of India. Thus, abruptly cancelling the event, violates their fundamental right to life, which includes right to live with dignity. It is their right to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion. Of course, the same has to be subject to public order, morality and health and to the other provisions of law."

As regards the contention of the police in respect of the alleged claims made for curing of Cancer and Hernia etc, the judges directed the Chairman of the Petitioner Trust - Dilip Bhore to file an undertaking in the Court immediately, stating that "he will ensure that while performing the said event, the provisions of the Black Magic Act are not violated."

With these observations, the bench disposed of the petition. 

Appearance: 

Advocates Kuldeep Nikam, Pratik Patil, Unmesh Jamdar and Akash Dalvi appeared for the Petitioner.

Assistant Government Pleader AA Naik represented State.

Advocate Shyamali Gadre represented the MIDC.

Case Title: Hope of Glory Ministry Trust vs State of Maharashtra [Writ Petition (Stamp) 2125 of 2026]

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Bom) 101

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