Gag order on Mohammad Deepak: HC refuses to quash FIR against gym owner

NEW DELHI: Uttarakhand high court on Friday imposed a gag order on Mohammad Deepak and refused to quash FIR against him. The case pertains to the gym owner confronting Bajrang Dal members harassing a Muslim shopkeeper."That is part of the investigation. Don’t sensitise [sensationalise]. I will restrain you from giving any statement on social media. Just now, I am restraining you because you are an accused facing investigation. I am stopping you just now. Don’t give any statement on social media. It is my strict direction to you," Bar and Bench quoted Justice Thapliyal saying."The petitioners are under investigation and in such circumstances, he (Kumar) cannot pray for police protection. There is no question of creating a doubt on the investigating agency. He has to hope and trust that his life will be protected. Still, he can approach the competent officer (of the police, if required, for protection)," the Court order said.The court on Thursday, while hearing Kumar’s plea to quash the FIR, raised objections to what it described as unwarranted requests in the petition, including demands for police protection and action against officials over alleged “biased” conduct.The court observed that the pleas appeared to be attempts to exert pressure on the investigation and draw unnecessary attention to the case. It also questioned the petitioner’s request for police protection, noting that he himself is a “suspected accused.”The court on Tuesday directed state authorities to file status reports on the action taken in all FIRs linked to the incident. One such FIR has been registered against Deepak Kumar on charges including rioting, causing hurt, and intentional insult aimed at provoking a breach of peace, in connection with an incident reported on January 26 in Kotdwar. Kumar is accused of clashing with members of the Bajrang Dal after they objected to a Muslim shopkeeper, Vakil Ahmed, naming his shop “Baba.” A video of the altercation later circulated widely on social media. Kumar has since moved the high court seeking to have the FIR quashed.