On February 9, 2026, the Supreme Court refused to hear a petition challenging the Madras High Court order that limits prayer, including namaz, at Nellithoppu area of Sikkandar Badhusha Avuliya Dargah in Madurai. The High Court allows prayers only during Ramzan and Bakrid festival days. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing petitioner Imam Hussain, argued that these restrictions crossed constitutional limits by confining religious practice to just two days. Bhushan stated, “The High Court took this situational compromise meant to avert law and order issues and elevated it into a permanent judicial rule.” He added that the order violated Article 25, which protects freedom of religion, since namaz is an essential religious practice performed daily by Muslims. The High Court's order was based on concerns that large prayers could block the pathway to the nearby Kasi Viswanathar Temple. It cited a century-old civil court decree from August 25, 1923. The petition claimed this view was arbitrary and infringed on continuous religious freedom. The Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Aravind Kumar dismissed the petition after a brief hearing, upholding the High Court’s restrictions. The petitioner said the order unfairly burdens one community and violates their right to freely practice their religion except on designated days. In summary, the Supreme Court has affirmed that prayers can be offered at Nellithoppu Dargah only during Ramzan and Bakrid, maintaining the Madras High Court’s decision.