Varanasi Court sends 14 to Judicial Custody in Ganga Iftar Case amid rising legal heat

A Varanasi Court has remanded fourteen men to 14 days’ judicial custody in connection with a controversial Iftar gathering held on a boat in the Ganga, escalating a case that has drawn attention for its mix of religious, environmental, and criminal law allegations. The order underscores the judiciary’s early-stage approach in serious multi-charge cases, allowing investigation to proceed amid public scrutiny.

The case surfaced after videos of the group breaking their fast on a boat went viral, triggering outrage and a formal complaint alleging that food was consumed and waste discarded into the river, thereby hurting religious sentiments and polluting a public water body. Acting on the complaint, police registered an FIR invoking multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including offences relating to outraging religious feelings, promoting enmity, public nuisance, and fouling water sources, along with the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act. The situation intensified when boat owners later accused the group of forcibly taking the vessel, leading to the addition of a more serious charge of extortion.

While the Court did not delve into the merits of the allegations at this stage, it took note of the gravity and range of offences invoked, including the newly added charge. The remand reflects a cautious judicial stance in cases involving public order and competing claims of rights and violations. As per the order, the accused have been sent to judicial custody for further proceedings, with the investigation continuing.

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