Indian Court denies bail to 14 Muslim men booked for Iftar on Ganga boat

Indian Court denies bail to 14 Muslim men booked for Iftar on Ganga boat
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A court in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday denied bail to fourteen Muslim men accused of hosting an iftar on a boat in the Ganga River, describing the alleged offences as “serious in nature” and non-bailable.

According to Maktoob Media, the men were initially charged under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act after videos of the gathering went viral, allegedly sparking outrage over religious sentiments. Additional charges, including extortion and transmission of obscene material, were also invoked.

The case stems from an incident in which videos showing the men breaking their fast on a boat in the river was posted on social media, triggering a Hindutva hate campaign.

The court remanded the accused to 14 days of judicial custody while investigations continue. Defence counsel argued the men were falsely implicated, but the court found the allegations serious enough to deny bail.