The Uttarakhand Police has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against a person on the charge of a declaration ₹2 lakh reward for killing Deepak Kumar, a gym owner who defended an elderly Muslim shopkeeper when Bajrang Dal men harassed him for dropping the word “Baba” from the name of his shop in Kotdwar.
A gym owner named Deepak Kumar rescues an elderly Muslim shopkeeper.An FIR under Section 351 (3) (threat of death or grievous hurt) of the Indian Penal Code (BNS) was registered late on Sunday night based on Kumar’s complaint.
In his complaint, Kumar said he saw a video on social media in which a man was threatening him and announcing a reward. ₹2 lakhs for killing him. He said that he and his family are living in fear due to death threats. He said the video is going viral on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
In the alleged video, the man with tilak on his forehead is seen holding a bundle. ₹500 rupee note in left hand. He is heard saying, “He who kills Mohammed Deepak and undertakes the task of ‘educating’ him about Sanatan Dharma, will be given. ₹2 lakh.” HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Chandra Mohan Singh said, “We have registered an FIR after receiving a complaint from Deepak Kumar. The person seen threatening in the video has been identified as Utkarsh Singh, a resident of East Champaran district of Bihar. We are taking further action in this regard.”
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On January 26, a group of Bajrang Dal men intervened after Kumar harassed a 70-year-old Muslim shopkeeper in Kotdwar over the name of his shop “Baba School Dress and Matching Centre”. The Bajrang Dal objected to the use of the word “Baba”, claiming that it referred to Baba Siddhabali, the local deity associated with Lord Hanuman, whose famous temple is located in the city.
Kumar was standing outside a friend’s shop when he entered. During the exchange, the Bajrang Dal asked Kumar his name, to which he replied that his name was Mohammad Deepak. A video of the incident later went viral on social media, after which Kumar was referred to as Mohammed Deepak.
On 31 January, Bajrang Dal workers staged a protest outside Kumar’s gym in Kotdwar and threatened to “teach him a lesson”.
