HC questions Gym Owner ‘Mohammad Deepak’ on FIR Progress and Bank Donations amid Kotdwar Clash

17 Mar 2026

Categories: Latest News

The Uttarakhand High Court directed the State Government to provide an update on investigations into multiple FIRs arising from the January 26, 2026 Kotdwar incident involving Deepak Kumar, alias ‘Mohammad Deepak’. The Bench also ordered Kumar to submit a full account of donations credited to his bank account after a video of the confrontation went viral, reflecting the Court’s intent to monitor both law enforcement action and financial transparency amid a high-profile communal dispute.

The matter stems from a January 26 confrontation in Kotdwar, Pauri Garhwal, where a mob allegedly associated with Bajrang Dal challenged an elderly Muslim shopkeeper, Vakeel Ahmed, over the use of “Baba” in his shop name. Deepak Kumar, a local gym owner, intervened in support of Ahmed, leading to a viral video in which Kumar identified himself as “Mohammad Deepak” while confronting the group.

Following the incident, FIRs were lodged both against unnamed mob members and against Kumar and his associate Vijay Rawat, alleging derogatory language, mobile snatching, and threats. Challenging his FIR, Kumar sought quashing, police protection, and a departmental probe into alleged inaction by law enforcement, claiming victimisation for his intervention.

Justice Rakesh Thapliyal expressed scepticism over Kumar’s plea for protection and inquiry, stressing the need to allow the police to complete their investigation. The Bench observed, “You get your instructions on how much money has been credited to your account,” directing Kumar to disclose all donations received in his bank account.

The Court further instructed the State Counsel to report on the status of FIRs against both unnamed individuals and Kumar, as well as the rationale for police action on his complaint. The matter is scheduled for further hearing two days later.