Court Grants Bail in Varanasi Religious Sentiments Case

The Allahabad High Court granted bail to individuals accused of throwing non-vegetarian food into the Ganga during an iftar party, an act said to hurt Hindu sentiments. They regret their actions and have apologized. The court considered their lack of criminal history and expressed apologies.

In a significant ruling, the Allahabad High Court has granted bail to a group of people accused of disrespecting religious sentiments by disposing of non-vegetarian leftovers into the River Ganga during an iftar party.

The incident took place in Varanasi, where the accused allegedly partook in non-vegetarian meals on a boat, later casting the remnants into the sacred river. This act purportedly offended the religious sentiments of the Hindu community, leading to their arrest on March 17, 2026.

Justice Rajiv Lochan Shukla considered the lack of criminal antecedents and the apologies offered by the accused, ultimately deciding in favor of bail. The court had denied bail earlier when the sessions court in Varanasi suspected an intention to disturb social harmony.