UP: 12 Muslims detained for offering namaz in empty home ‘without permission’

The police in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district detained 12 Muslim men for allegedly offering namaz in an empty home “without permission”, PTI reported.

The 12 persons were challaned under legal provisions pertaining to breach of peace and subsequently produced before a magistrate, who granted them bail.

Superintendent of Police (South) Anshika Verma said that the authorities took precautionary action after getting information that a vacant home in the Mohammedganj village was being used as a temporary madrasa, PTI reported.

“Conducting any new religious activity or gathering without permission is a violation of the law,” Verma said. “Strict action will be taken if such activities are repeated.”

The matter came to light after a video purportedly showing a group of people offering namaz in a home was shared on social media.

In UP's Bareilly, a video of 12 people offering prayers had surfaced on social media. All 12 were arrested. pic.twitter.com/DM8OYUToiJ— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) January 18, 2026

A preliminary inquiry revealed that the house belongs to a man named Hanif, and that it was being used temporarily for Friday namaz, PTI quoted the police as saying.

Some villagers had objected to prayers being held regularly at the man’s home and informed the authorities, after which the police stopped the gathering.
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