Madhya Pradesh High Court
Catholic Diocese Of Jhabua Through ... vs The State Of Madhya Pradesh on 18 December, 2025
NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:37431
1 WP-48963-2025
IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH
AT INDORE
BEFORE
HON'BLE SHRI JUSTICE JAI KUMAR PILLAI
ON THE 18th OF DECEMBER, 2025
WRIT PETITION No. 48963 of 2025
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF JHABUA THROUGH AUTHORIZED PERSON
SYLVESTER MEDA
Versus
THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH AND OTHERS
Appearance:
Mr. Akash Rathi, counsel for the petitioner.
Mr. Kushal Goyal, counsel for the respondents/State.
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed by the petitioner under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the following reliefs:-
(a) This petition may kindly be allowed.
(b) That the impugned orders dated 10.12.2025 and 11.12.2025 passed by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Thandla, District-Jhabua, whereby the permission/application for christmas carol singing has been cancelled/rejected (Annexure-P/1) may kindly be set-aside.
(c) The petitioner/society and its churches namely; (i) Catholic Church Thandla (Church of Immaculate Heart of Mary), (ii) Catholic Church, Badi Dhamni (St. Joseph's church), (iii) Catholic Church, Chhoti Dhamni (St. Maria Goretti church) and (iv) Catholic Church, Dungripada (Raj Rajeshwar church), may kindly be permitted to conduct peaceful christmas carol singing.
(d) Issue such other orders, writ, direction as this Hon'ble Court deems fit in the interest of justice in favour of petitioner.
(2) It is the case of the petitioner that on the eve of christmas festival there is a Signature Not Verified Signed by: ARUN NAIR Signing time: 12/19/2025 7:24:14 PM NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:37431
2 WP-48963-2025 ritual of performing the carol singing which is happening peacefully since many years. The christmas carol singing consists of small group of people gathered at the church, wherein the christmas celebration starts 15-20 days ahead of christmas used to sing the carol in small gathering from the church to the respective households.
(3) This court has carefully examine the matter and is of the considered opinion that the prayer made by the petitioner is not objectionable as the christian society has also the right to celebrate the christmas festival falling on 25.12.2025, whereby the group of people singing the song from the respective church to their respective residents.
(4) Considering the aforesaid, without commenting anything on the merits of the case, this court deems fit that such function of the christian society is not hampering or obstructing the public at large in the society, therefore the impugned orders dated 10.12.2025 and 11.12.2025 (Annexure-P/1) passed by the respondent No.3 are hereby quashed.
(5) It is made clear that carol singing is not a public gathering which is conducted by the christian society instead it is ritual performed by the christian society prior to 15-20 days ahead of christmas festival.
(6) With the aforesaid observation, this petition stands disposed of.
Certified copy as per Rules.
(JAI KUMAR PILLAI) JUDGE Arun/-
Signature Not Verified Signed by: ARUN NAIR Signing time: 12/19/2025 7:24:14 PM