The Court permitted the withdrawal of a writ petition challenging legislation when the petitioner indicated that a similar matter was already pending before the same Court, granting liberty to seek relief in the existing proceeding.

VED PRAKASH DEWANGAN

Order on Board

Digitally signed by VED PRAKASH DEWANGAN Date: 2026.08.25 22:14:28 +0530

Per Ramesh Sinha, C.J.

1. Heard Mr. Samsun Samual Masih along with Mr. Jhanedra Kumar Mahilang and Mr. Mahendra Kumar Rathia, Advocates appearing for the appellant. Also heard Mr. Vivek Sharma, learned Advocate General appearing for respondent No.1 and Mr. Ramakant Mishra, learned DSGI appearing for respondent No.2.

2. This writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been filed by the petitioner, Amarjeet Patel, challenging the constitutional validity of the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026 (Bill No. 7 of 2026), and seeking consequential relief for permitting him to change his religion from Hinduism to Christianity. The petitioner contends that the impugned legislation infringes his fundamental rights, particularly those guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, 21 and 25 of the Constitution of India.

3. The petitioner has filed the present petition seeking for the following reliefs:

“10.1 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to declare the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026 (Bill No. 7 of 2026) as unconstitutional, ultra vires the Constitution of India and void ab initio;

10.2 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to issue a writ of certiorari or any other appropriate writ, order or direction quashing the impugned Bill.

10.3 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to issue a writ of mandamus directing the Respondents to forthwith grant permission to the Petitioner to convert his religion from Hinduism to Christianity in accordance with his application dated 01.01.2026.

10.4 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to grant any other relief, as it may deems fit and appropriate.”

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner does not wish to press the present writ petition at this stage, as the earlier W.P. (C) No. 1960 of 2026 filed by the petitioner is already pending consideration before this Court. He, therefore, prays that the present writ petition may kindly be dismissed as withdrawn, with liberty to the petitioner to move an appropriate application in the pending W.P.(C) No. 1960 of 2026 in respect of the reliefs sought herein.

5. Learned counsel appearing for respondent Nos. 1 and 2 submits that, in view of the prayer made by learned counsel for the petitioner, the respondents have no objection to the present writ petition being dismissed as withdrawn. It is further submitted that any relief sought by the petitioner may appropriately be considered in the pending W.P.(C) No. 1960 of 2026, in accordance with law. Learned counsel, therefore, submits that the present petition may be dismissed as withdrawn, with liberty to the petitioner to move an appropriate application in the said pending writ petition.

6. Having regard to the aforesaid submissions and the fact that the petitioner does not wish to prosecute the present writ petition, the prayer for withdrawal of the petition deserves to be accepted. Since W.P.(C) No. 1960 of 2026, involving the subject matter, is already pending before this Court, the petitioner may avail the liberty to seek appropriate relief therein.

7. Accordingly, the present writ petition is dismissed as withdrawn with liberty to the petitioner to move an appropriate application in the said W.P.(C) No. 1960 of 2026, which is pending.