Varanasi: A Sessions Court on Wednesday denied bail to 14 Muslim men accused of eating chicken during iftar on a Ganges boat, discarding bones into the river, and posting the video online to "disrupt communal peace."
Their plea was earlier rejected by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on March 23.
Judge Alok Kumar ruled: "Posting the said video on social media prima facie proves that the said incident was committed with the objective of affecting social harmony," noting its timing near Eid and festivals amplified the offense.
Videos surfaced March 15 showing the men breaking their Ramadan fast with chicken and allegedly polluting the river. Clips went viral, sparking outrage.
Police filed an FIR against Azad Ali, Aamir Kaiki, Danish Saifi, Mohammed Ahmad, Nehal Afridi, Mahfooz Alam, Mohammed Anas, Mohammed Awwal, Mohammed Tahseem, Mohammed Ahmad alias Raja, Mohammed Noor Ismail, Mohammed Tausif Ahmad, Mohd Faizan, and Mohammed Sameer.
Charges under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): Sections 298 (defiling worship place), 299 (outraging religious feelings), 196(1)(B) (promoting enmity), 270 (public nuisance), 279 (fouling water), 223(B) (disobeying public order); plus Section 24 of Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
Later added: BNS 308(5) (extortion by threat), after boat owners Anil and Ranjan Sahani claimed the men seized their vessel forcibly.
Arrests followed Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) city president Rajat Jaiswal's complaint, alleging insult to "Sanatana sentiments" via "jihadi mentality."
Defense argued Jaiswal wasn't an eyewitness and no bones were recovered. Court rejected this, emphasizing social media's role.