Meerut: Notorious Accused Rishabh Thakur Arrested for Assaulting Minority Youth
Rishabh Thakur, a prime accused in the infamous Bareilly cafe assault case, has been arrested by Meerut city police for allegedly assaulting a 21-year-old man from a minority community. The incident, which occurred on Saturday evening, involved Thakur forcing the victim to publicly chant religious slogans in front of his friend.
Details of the Latest Assault Incident
Police reported on Tuesday that Thakur, described as a zila badar (a criminal expelled from the district), misbehaved with the young couple because they belonged to different faiths. The assault was filmed by Thakur's associates and circulated online, showing the young man being beaten with slippers and coerced into chanting slogans.
Taking suo motu cognizance of the viral clip, Bareilly Cantt police apprehended Thakur on Sunday night and launched a formal investigation. The victim's statement has been recorded, and mobile phones were seized to probe allegations of extortion.
Police Complaint and Legal Action
The girl's father, Vijender Singh, condemned Thakur's conduct and filed a police complaint. He clarified that his 17-year-old daughter was with the youth, Shoib Ali, with his consent. Ali, who works in Dubai and was visiting, often visits their home.
In the complaint, Singh stated, "My daughter was with Shoib Ali. He works in Dubai and is home these days. He also visits our place often. On Saturday, he was strolling with my daughter with my permission when those men asked his name. Rishabh Thakur not only thrashed him but also extorted Rs 9,000 from him. We have all the details."
Cantt circle officer Ashutosh Shivam confirmed that an FIR was registered against Thakur and others under BNS sections 352 (breach of peace), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 351(3) (criminal intimidation), 353(2) (circulating false information), and 308(5) (extortion).
Background of Rishabh Thakur's Criminal Activities
Thakur has a history of violent incidents. In December last year, he disrupted a nursing student's birthday party at a Bareilly cafe and assaulted her two male friends over allegations of love jihad, sparking public outrage. Five individuals were arrested in connection with that case.
Notably, on February 5, Thakur was expelled from the district on the District Magistrate's orders after an FIR was filed against him for allegedly demanding Rs 40,000 from a spa owner.
Previous Cafe Assault Case and Police Response
Earlier, on December 27, around two dozen men, including Thakur and purportedly from right-wing groups, barged into a city cafe and assaulted the nursing student's friends while raising love jihad slogans. The nursing student, originally from Badaun, was staying with her aunt in Bareilly at the time.
Initially, local police issued a fine against the Muslim students and the cafe owner for breach of peace, with no immediate action against the perpetrators. The case gained traction only after social media criticism of the handling of the matter.
Bareilly SP (city) Manush Pareek later stated, "Those seen attacking inside the cafe have been identified, and an FIR has been registered under BNS sections 333 (house trespass), 115-2 (voluntarily causing hurt), 352 (intentional insult...), 351 (criminal intimidation), and 191 (rioting)."
This arrest highlights ongoing concerns about communal violence and law enforcement responses in the region, with Thakur's repeated offenses drawing significant public and legal scrutiny.
