All India India True Christian Council, v. The State Of Andhra Pradesh, Rep.By Its Principal Secretary,

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR WRIT PETITION No.38367 of 2015 ORDER:

The grievance of the petitioner organization is that the police authorities do not propose to provide protection to the Christian prayer meeting which is to be conducted from 01.12.2015 to 04.12.2015 at NTR Municipal High School Ground, Seven Road Junction, Srikakulam, Srikakulam District. The petitioner organization has already been granted permission to hold the subject prayer meeting at the named premises by the Srikaulam Municipality under endorsement dated 09.10.2015. Similar permission seems to have been granted by the police authorities of Srikakulam under order dated 10.11.2015 for use of box type speakers between 5.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. in the proposed meeting. The petitioner organization however apprehends that unruly elements may disrupt the meeting and therefore seeks police protection. It accordingly made a representation to the Superintendent of Police, Srikakulam, seeking police protection for the proposed meeting.

Sri Suresh Kumar Potturi, learned counsel for the petitioner organization, placed reliance on the interim order dated 05.02.2014 granted by this Court in W.P.No.3218 of 2014 for providing police protection to a similar meeting. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home informed this Court, on the basis of oral instructions, that the police authorities have already permitted the proposed meeting to be conducted and admits that there is a possibility of disruption of the meeting.

In that view of the matter, the writ petition is disposed of directing the police authorities to provide suitable protection at the venue of the proposed meeting so as to prevent commission of any cognizable offences, as they are empowered to do so under Section 149 Cr.P.C. All possible measures shall be taken by the police authorities in this regard. Any charges leviable in this regard shall be paid by the petitioner organization.

Pending miscellaneous petitions, if any, shall stand closed in the light of this

final order. No order as to costs.

____________________ JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR 27th November, 2015 Note:- Issue CC by tomorrow B/o IBL