Bareilly: 12 Detained for Offering Friday Namaz 'Without Permission' in an Empty Building

New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh police have detained 12 individuals from a village in Bareilly district on Sunday (January 18) for allegedly performing namaz inside an unoccupied house without official approval, according to authorities.

Superintendent of Police (South) Anshika Verma said that the action was taken after local residents of Mohammadganj village alerted the police that the empty building had been functioning as a makeshift madrasa for several weeks, as per a PTI report.

"Conducting any new religious activity or gathering without permission is a violation of the law. Strict action will be taken if such activities are repeated," Verma warned, while urging villagers to maintain communal harmony and public order.

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According to the police, the preliminary investigations revealed that the property belonged to a person named Hanif and was used temporarily for Friday prayers on January 16. They added that those present failed to provide any written approval or valid paperwork when questioned.

Further, the police mentioned that the detained individuals were booked under provisions related to disturbance of peace and were later presented before a magistrate, who granted them bail. The authorities are still searching for three more people linked to the incident who are absconding.

“A video purportedly showing people offering prayers inside the house has surfaced and is being circulated on social media,” PTI quoted authorities as saying. The circulated video is being examined as part of the case.

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