Ganga River Biryani Bash: 14 Sent to Custody

A Varanasi court has detained 14 individuals for hosting an Iftar party on a boat in the Ganga river. Accusations include forcing a boatman participation, outraging religious beliefs, and polluting the sacred river. The gathering, criticized for defiling a worship place, faces multiple legal charges.

In a significant judicial action, a Varanasi court ordered the detention of 14 people who allegedly held an Iftar party on a boat in the sacred Ganga river, consuming chicken biryani. The Additional Civil Judge, ACJM Amit Kumar Yadav, denied their bail applications and committed them to 14-day judicial custody.

The group faces serious accusations, including forcing a boatman to participate in the gathering, an act condemned for violating the sanctity of the river and religious beliefs. Complainant Rajat Jaiswal from the BJP lodged the complaint after a video of the incident circulated online on Monday.

Evidence from eyewitnesses and the boatman's account supports the police case. Charges include defiling a worship place and promoting enmity among religious groups. This controversial party has sparked a discussion on communal harmony and river conservation, with additional charges likely.

(With inputs from agencies.)