Case Explained: Ganga Iftar Row Varanasi Court Remands 14 Accused to 14 Day Judicial Custody – Legal Perspective

Varanasi: A Varanasi court on Thursday, March 19, 2026, remanded 14 individuals to 14-day judicial custody following their arrest in connection with an Iftar gathering held on a boat in the Ganga. The incident drew widespread attention after a video of the event circulated on social media, leading to allegations of hurting religious sentiments and violating environmental protection laws. The accused were identified through the viral footage and were taken into custody by the Varanasi police earlier this week.

The proceedings were conducted before Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Amit Kumar Yadav, who directed that the accused remain in judicial custody until April 1, 2026. The court has also listed the matter on March 23, 2026, for hearing the bail applications filed on behalf of the accused. During the hearing, the court took note of the seriousness of the allegations and sought the criminal history records of all the accused persons.

The controversy stems from an incident dated March 15, 2026, when the group allegedly organised an Iftar gathering while travelling on a boat in the Ganga river. According to the complaint, the viral video showed the accused, most of whom are in their twenties and residents of the Madanpura area, consuming non-vegetarian food, including chicken biryani, on the river. It was further alleged that bones and leftover food were thrown directly into the water, thereby offending religious sentiments and polluting the river.

The FIR was registered at Kotwali police station on the basis of a written complaint filed by Rajat Jaiswal, city unit chief of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. The complaint stated that the Ganga is sacred for followers of Sanatan Dharma and alleged that consuming meat on the river and polluting its waters was a deliberate act intended to insult religious beliefs.

Initially, the accused were booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to outraging religious sentiments, promoting enmity between groups, and public nuisance. During the course of investigation, additional offences were added, including provisions concerning fouling water in a public reservoir and Section 24 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. A charge of extortion was also invoked after certain boat owners alleged that the accused had forcibly taken control of the boat and threatened the boatman.

Case Details:

Court: Court of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Varanasi

Presiding Judge: Amit Kumar Yadav

Date of Order: March 19, 2026

Next Date of Hearing: March 23, 2026

Relief/Order Passed: 14 accused remanded to 14-day judicial custody till April 1, 2026