‘Mohd Deepak’ moves HC to quash FIR, seeks police protection

Dehradun: Approaching the Uttarakhand high court (HC) to seek quashing of what he termed a "partisan" FIR, Deepak Kumar, the Kotdwar-based gym owner who identified himself as "Mohammad Deepak" while coming to the aid of a Muslim shopkeeper who was being heckled by right-wing groups, has sought both legal relief and accountability from law enforcement. In his petition, Deepak challenged the case registered against him and urged the court to order a departmental inquiry against police officials, alleging failure to act on instances of hate crime. He also sought a stay on his arrest and requested police protection. Hearing the matter on Tuesday, a single-judge bench of Justice Rakesh Thapliyal directed the state govt to submit a status report on all cases connected to the incident. It also asked the petitioner, Deepak, to furnish details of any contributions or donations received in his bank account, widening the scope of the inquiry beyond the immediate question of arrest. The bench indicated it would examine both the legal basis of the FIR and the surrounding circumstances raised in the petition. The next hearing of the matter is on Thursday.According to the petition, a case was registered against Deepak and his associate, Vijay Rawat, on Jan 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.On Jan 26, individuals associated with the Bajrang Dal were accused of creating a ruckus at the shop of an elderly Muslim shopkeeper, Vakil Ahmed, in Kotdwar, objecting to the use of the word "Baba" in his shop's name, claiming that the word 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 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 replies: ‘Mohammad Deepak'.