“We Deeply Respect Maa Ganga, Hinduism”: Accused in Ganga Boat Iftar Case Tell Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court while granting bail to three more accused in the Varanasi “Ganga boat Iftar” case, noted that the apology tendered by the accused appeared to be “heartfelt” and reflected “genuine remorse".

The accused Muslim men told the court in their additional affidavit that they deeply respected Hinduism and Maa Ganga, and sought unconditional apology from the Hindu community and all others whose faith may have been hurt by the incident.

Justice Rajiv Lochan Shukla granted bail to Danish Saifi, Noor Islam and Amir Kaifi in the case registered at Kotwali police station, Varanasi.

Notably, all of the 14 accused in the case have secured bail from the high court.

What is the Ganga boat Iftar row?

According to the prosecution, the accused had desecrated the River Ganga and uploaded a video on Instagram through the handle of one of the co-accused, Mohd. Tahseem. The State alleged that the act was part of a larger conspiracy aimed at disturbing public and communal harmony.

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The prosecution further argued that the investigation was continuing to ascertain who had funded the alleged Iftar party and who was instrumental in promoting the uploading of the video online.

The FIR invoked Sections 298, 299, 196(1)(b), 279, 223(b) and 308(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.

What did the accused argue before the court?

The applicants contended that they had been falsely implicated and had no intention to hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community. They told the court that they had been in custody since March 17, 2026 and were no longer required for custodial interrogation.

The defence also argued that except for Section 308(5) BNS, none of the alleged offences carried punishment exceeding seven years. It was further submitted that allegations of extortion had been raised belatedly without any explanation for the delay.

The accused also relied on earlier orders of coordinate benches granting bail to similarly situated co-accused persons in connected matters on May 15, 2026.

In a supplementary affidavit filed before the court, the applicants sought unconditional apology from members of the Hindu community and others whose religious sentiments may have been hurt due to the incident.

Also Read| Allahabad High Court In Ganga Boat Iftar Row: Regret Over Incident, No Denial Of Viral Video Helped Accused Secure Bail

The applicants also assured the court that they would not participate in any such activity in future and would continue to respect Maa Ganga throughout their lives.

Grant of bail

The high court noted that the apology contained in the supplementary affidavit, as well as the submissions advanced by counsel for the applicants, reflected “genuine remorse” for the alleged act. Court further observed that the apology appeared to be “heartfelt.”

Justice Shukla also took into account the applicants’ lack of criminal antecedents, the period already spent in custody and the fact that similarly placed co-accused had already been enlarged on bail.

Accordingly, court allowed the bail applications and directed the release of the three accused on furnishing personal bonds and two sureties each, subject to conditions that they would not tamper with evidence, intimidate witnesses or indulge in criminal activity, and would cooperate with the trial proceedings.

Case Title: Danish Saifi vs State of U.P. along with connected matters (Noor Islam vs State of U.P. and Amir Kaifi vs State of U.P.)

Order Date: May 18, 2026

Bench: Justice Rajiv Lochan Shukla