Uttarakhand Police have arrested gym owner Deepak Kumar, popularly known as “Mohammad Deepak,” in Kotdwar town of Pauri Garhwal district. Authorities took him into custody following a formal criminal complaint filed by a local businessman.
The complainant accused Deepak and an associate of physically assaulting him after an argument over a controversial social media comment. Furthermore, police have registered an FIR under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), according to a report by The Indian Express.
Social Media Argument Leads to Physical Altercation
The dispute reportedly began online over comments discussing a sensitive religious structure issue in Ujjain. The complainant, a local shopkeeper named Sanjeev Tonk, had posted remarks on Facebook that drew sharp objections from Deepak.
According to the police complaint, Deepak later confronted the businessman at his commercial establishment in the main market. The interaction quickly escalated into a heated verbal confrontation.
The complainant alleged that Deepak attacked him, issued death threats, and damaged property inside the shop. Consequently, local shopkeepers intervened to break up the scuffle, as detailed by The Times of India.
Police Action and Formal Detention
Following the altercation, several traders gathered outside the local police station to demand strict administrative action. Investigators reviewed market CCTV footage and recorded witness statements from nearby vendors.
Police formally charged Deepak with voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, and wrongful restraint. A police team arrested him late in the evening and brought him in for questioning.
Meanwhile, senior police officials appealed to local residents to maintain communal harmony and avoid circulating provocative rumors online, according to reporting by NDTV.
Prior Limelight Over Communal Stand
Deepak Kumar became a viral sensation in January after a video of him confronting right-wing activists circulated widely on social media.
During that incident, he defended an elderly vendor who was facing harassment from Bajrang Dal workers outside a local shop. In the video, he famously declared, “Call me Mohammad Deepak,” a remark that earned him national praise from civil society groups and political leaders.
However, local authorities noted that personal prominence offers no immunity against criminal actions. Police officials confirmed that the current case remains a straightforward investigation into physical violence and intimidation.
Legal Proceedings Underway
Police produced Deepak before a local magistrate on Friday to initiate judicial custody proceedings.
Defense lawyers claimed that the businessman provoked the confrontation and exaggerated the charges. However, prosecutors argued that street violence over digital commentary disrupts law and order in the hill town.
Ultimately, police officers continue to monitor social media feeds across Kotdwar to prevent further tensions among local trading communities.
Curated news reports, in-depth analysis, and special features by India’s Opinion editorial team.
