‘Mohammad’ Deepak gets bail after preventive arrest over Kotdwar trader altercation

Gym owner Deepak Kumar, popularly known as “Mohammad” Deepak, was granted bail by a sub-divisional magistrate’s court after being taken into preventive custody following an alleged altercation with a local trader in Uttarakhand’s Kotdwar. Deepak had been detained by Pauri Garhwal police under Section 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), with police citing apprehensions of a breach of peace.

Row over Facebook comment

The dispute involved local trader Sanjeev Tonk, who had commented on a social media post uploaded by Deepak concerning the demolition of part of a mosque for road widening in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Police said Deepak objected to the comment and subsequently went to the trader’s shop, where an altercation allegedly took place.

Tonk subsequently approached Kotdwar Kotwali with a complaint accusing Deepak of abusing, threatening and assaulting him. The allegations remain subject to investigation and have not been established by a court. Police registered a case under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and separately took Deepak into preventive custody under Section 170 of the BNSS.

Traders stage protest

The episode triggered protests by local traders, who gathered at the police station demanding action against Deepak. Members of the local traders’ association alleged that the incident had created tension in the area and sought action on the complaint.

With the dispute attracting wider attention, police increased their presence in Kotdwar and conducted a flag march on Thursday night. Residents were asked to maintain peace, avoid rumours and refrain from circulating inflammatory or misleading material on social media.

Released on bail

Deepak was subsequently produced before the SDM court, where he was granted bail. Police and local intelligence personnel continued to maintain a heightened vigil in the area on Friday as a precaution against any further escalation.

The case has drawn attention partly because Deepak became a widely recognised figure in Kotdwar earlier this year after intervening in a confrontation involving members of the Bajrang Dal and an elderly Muslim shopkeeper. The protesters had allegedly objected to the shopkeeper using the word “Baba” in the name of his establishment.

During that confrontation, Deepak introduced himself as “Mohammad Deepak”, and a video of the exchange subsequently went viral on social media. The name has since become associated with him in public discourse, although his name is Deepak Kumar.

Police keep watch

Kotdwar police said security arrangements remained in place following the latest episode. The administration appealed to residents to maintain communal harmony and warned against attempts to disturb public order.

Deepak’s release on bail ended his preventive detention, but the case arising from the trader’s complaint is a separate matter and will proceed in accordance with the investigation.