SC rejects plea over hoardings ‘prohibiting’ entry of pastors

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea challenging the Chhattisgarh High Court order in a matter pertaining to hoardings which allegedly prohibit the entry of pastors and converted Christians in some villages in the State. The High Court had, in October last year, disposed of two separate pleas seeking the removal of such hoardings.

While referring to an apex court verdict, the High Court had observed that the installation of hoardings for preventing forcible conversion by way of allurement or fraudulent means cannot be termed as unconstitutional.

A plea challenging the High Court’s order came up for hearing before a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta on Monday. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the petitioner, referred to a separate matter relating to alleged attacks on pastors, which is pending before the top court.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the plea before the High Court was limited but the petitioner has now added several new facts and documents in the petition filed in the apex court. After hearing the submissions, the bench dismissed the petition.