Calcutta High Court: No Evidence for Mosque Loudspeaker Removal

• The Calcutta High Court dismissed a petition challenging the removal of loudspeakers from mosques in West Bengal.
• No evidence was provided to support claims that police had removed loudspeakers from 4000 mosques under threat of coercive actions.
• The court emphasized the importance of providing actual proof, rather than relying on suspicion and hearsay.
• This ruling has significant implications for lawyers advising clients on mosque operations in West Bengal.

Suspicion, howsoever high, cannot be a substitute of actual proof.

The Calcutta High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the removal of loudspeakers from mosques in West Bengal. The petition, filed by Md. Danish Farooqui on behalf of himself and others, alleged that police had removed loudspeakers from 4000 mosques across the state under threat of coercive actions. However, the court found that no evidence was provided to support these claims, with no documents annexed to the plea and no specific acts attributed to the police.

The case, Md. Danish Farooqui v State of West Bengal and Others, highlights the complexities of regulating mosque operations in India. The court's decision suggests that removal of loudspeakers from mosques may be permissible under law, provided there is sufficient evidence to support such actions. This ruling has significant implications for lawyers advising clients on mosque operations in West Bengal, who must now consider the potential legal consequences of removing or restricting loudspeaker use.

The Calcutta High Court's dismissal of the petition sends a clear message that suspicion and hearsay are not sufficient to justify actions against mosque operations. The court's emphasis on providing actual proof highlights the importance of due process in regulating religious practices. This ruling has far-reaching implications for freedom of religion and expression in India, and will likely be closely watched by courts and lawyers across the country.

Lawyers advising clients on mosque operations in West Bengal should note that the Calcutta High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the removal of loudspeakers, indicating that such actions may be permissible under law.

Source: Original reporting via The Times of India