Ganga iftar row: Varanasi court sends 14 accused to judicial custody

VARANASI: A Varanasi court has sent 14 accused to judicial custody for 14 days in connection with the alleged incident of holding an iftar gathering on a boat and dumping non-vegetarian food into the Ganga River.

The order was passed by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Amit Kumar Yadav, who directed that all the accused be remanded to judicial custody till April 1. The court also scheduled March 23 for hearing their bail pleas.

The case stems from a viral video that surfaced on social media earlier this week showing a group of individuals purportedly organising an iftar gathering on a small boat in the Ganga in Varanasi.

The clip allegedly showed participants consuming non-vegetarian food and throwing leftovers, including bones, into the river. Following a complaint lodged by a BJP youth wing leader, the Kotwali police registered an FIR under multiple provisions related to outraging religious sentiments, environmental pollution and public nuisance. Subsequently, 14 individuals, including the boat operator, were taken into custody.

According to police officials, the viral video is being examined for authenticity, and efforts are underway to identify all those involved in the incident. Authorities have also intensified monitoring of boat activities in the river to prevent similar occurrences.