Kotdwar Gym Owner Seeks Legal Relief and Police Accountability in Uttarakhand High Court
Deepak Kumar, a gym owner based in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, has approached the Uttarakhand High Court to challenge what he describes as a "partisan" FIR filed against him. Kumar, who identified himself as "Mohammad Deepak" while assisting a Muslim shopkeeper during a confrontation with right-wing groups, is seeking both legal relief and accountability from law enforcement agencies.
Court Directs Status Report and Expands Inquiry Scope
In his petition, Deepak Kumar has urged the court to quash the case registered against him and order a departmental inquiry against police officials for their alleged failure to act on instances of hate crime. He has also requested a stay on his arrest and police protection. Hearing the matter on Tuesday, a single-judge bench of Justice Rakesh Thapliyal directed the state government to submit a status report on all cases connected to the incident.
The bench further instructed the petitioner, Deepak Kumar, to provide details of any contributions or donations received in his bank account. This directive widens the scope of the inquiry beyond the immediate question of arrest, indicating the court's intention to examine both the legal basis of the FIR and the surrounding circumstances raised in the petition. The next hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
Background of the Case and Allegations
According to the petition, a case was registered against Deepak Kumar and his associate, Vijay Rawat, on January 28 based on a complaint filed by Bajrang Dal member Kamal Prasad. They were accused of verbal abuse, criminal intimidation, and snatching a mobile phone.
Deepak's counsel argued that despite the existence of video evidence, the police initially registered the case against "unknown persons" but later named Deepak, allegedly subjecting him to harassment. It was further submitted that after videos of the incident were widely circulated online, members of the public, acting out of sympathy, began sending donations to his bank account.
Incident That Sparked Nationwide Attention
On January 26, individuals associated with the Bajrang Dal were accused of creating a disturbance at the shop of an elderly Muslim shopkeeper, Vakil Ahmed, in Kotdwar. They objected to the use of the word "Baba" in his shop's name, claiming it had a Hindu connotation and should not be used by a minority community member. The confrontation, which unfolded in a local market, gained nationwide attention after Deepak Kumar intervened.
In a video clip of the incident, which showed him standing between a group of Bajrang Dal workers and the distressed shopkeeper, the gym owner is seen confronting those harassing the shopkeeper. When asked about his identity, he replied: "Mohammad Deepak," highlighting his stance in support of the shopkeeper amidst the tension.
