JUDGMENT

Petitioners are claimed to be qualified hands practicing Acupuncture which is an alternative system of medicine. They alleged that they had acquired qualification to practice Acupuncture from the Open International University as per Ext.P1, Ext.P2, Ext.P3, Ext.P4 and Ext.P5 certificates obtained by them. Petitioners alleged that the system of alternative medicine that they practice, is being attempted to be interfered with by the police and that the State or its agents are not entitled to interfere as long as they are exercising their fundamental right to indulge in any practice.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioners invited the attention of this Court to the office memorandum dated 06.11.2024, wherein it is mentioned that the Acupuncture professionals have been included in the schedule of the National Commission for Allied and Health Care Professions Act , 2021, due to which, they are entitled to practice Acupuncture. The learned counsel further submitted that the system of Acupuncture has been recognized by the said notification and the inclusion of the said system in the Schedule to the aforementioned Act must prevent the respondents from interfering as the petitioner