Uttar Pradesh: Police Book 8 For "Hookah, Non-Veg Boat Party" On River Ganga

Prayagraj: Uttar Pradesh police have filed a case against eight people in the state's Prayagraj after a video surfaced which showed a ''hookah party'' taking place on a boat near Sangam -- the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers -- a holy site visited by thousands everyday.

In the video which went viral three days ago, it can been seen that chicken getting cooked on the boat in the middle of Ganga river.

In the video, it was also seen that a man in a white shirt puffing a hookah on a boat. Later the camera pans to show what appear to be kebabs being grilled on the boat. The other men can be seen sitting around him.

As per an official statement from the police, a case has been filed against two named accused and six unidentified people. Police have not disclosed the names of the accused yet.

All the accused have been charged with hurting religious sentiments and defiling a place of worship.

"We will ensure that the accused are arrested soon, and strict legal action is taken against them", the statement added.

On the day the video went viral, Prayagraj police chief Shailesh Pandey stated that the video appears to show both hookah and non-vegetarian food. We will ensure strict action.

Earlier in June this month, the tourist couple who drove the Toyota Fortuner on the sand had to give a bond of Rs 50,000 for breaking the rules of the local authority and harming the site.

Taking to Facebook, the Leh Police posted two photos, showing a Toyota Fortuner SUV being driven on sand dunes in Hunder in Nubra Valley, popular with adventure enthusiasts and known for its cold desert landscape.

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