Police in Bareilly district detained 12 Muslim men after they allegedly offered namaz inside a vacant house without official permission, Press Trust of India reported.
The men were booked under provisions related to breach of peace and later produced before a magistrate, who released them on bail.
According to police, the action followed information that a vacant house in Mohammedganj village was being used as a temporary madrasa. Superintendent of Police (South) Anshika Verma said the move was taken as a precautionary measure.
“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 incident came to light after a video, purportedly showing a group of people offering namaz inside the house, circulated on social media.
A preliminary inquiry found that the house belongs to a man identified as Hanif and was being used temporarily for Friday prayers, police said.
Some villagers had raised objections to prayers being held regularly at the house and alerted the authorities, following which police intervened and stopped the gathering.