NEW DELHI: A sessions court in Varanasi on Wednesday rejected the bail pleas of 14 accused arrested for holding an Iftar party on a boat in the middle of the river Ganga, allegedly consuming non-vegetarian food and throwing leftovers into the river. The court observed that posting videos of the act on social media prima facie indicated an intention to disrupt social harmony.
All 14 accused were produced before the Varanasi sessions court, where arguments from both sides were heard from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Sessions Judge Alok Kumar later pronounced a six-page order denying bail. The court noted that acts capable of inciting religious sentiments, when circulated on social media, increase the gravity of the offence.
The incident dates back to March 16, when an Iftar gathering was held midstream on the Ganga. Chicken biryani, along with fruits and dry fruits, was served. A video of the event was recorded and circulated online, drawing attention from right-wing groups. A complaint was filed, and on March 17, police arrested all 14 individuals.
The accused were booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The complaint termed the act “extremely unfortunate and condemnable.”
The defence argued false implication, citing lack of direct evidence and inconsistencies in the FIR. However, the prosecution maintained that the act was pre-planned to disturb communal harmony. After reviewing the case diary and submissions, the court found no merit in the bail pleas and dismissed all applications.