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

New Delhi: The Uttarakhand High Court on Friday issued a gag order against Mohammad Deepak and refused to quash the FIR against him. The case involves a gym owner confronting Bajrang Dal members for harassing a Muslim shop owner.“This is part of the investigation. Don’t be sensitive [sensationalise]. I will ban you from making any statements on social media. I restricted you just now because you are a defendant under investigation. I’ll stop you now. Don’t make any statements on social media. These are my strict instructions to you,” Justice Tapliar was quoted as saying by the Bar Association.“The petitioner is under investigation and in such circumstances, he (Kumar) cannot pray for police protection. There is no doubt that this would cast doubt on the investigating agency. He must hope and believe that his life will be protected. However, he can seek protection from the competent officer and, if need be, the police,” the court order said.The court on Thursday, while hearing Kumar’s plea seeking quashing of the FIR, raised objections to what it called unreasonable demands in the petition, including demands for police protection and action against alleged “biased” behavior by officials.The court found that the pleas appeared to be an attempt to put pressure on the investigation and draw unnecessary attention to the case. It also challenged the petitioner’s request for police protection, noting that he himself was an “alleged defendant”.The court on Tuesday directed the state authorities to submit a status report on the action taken in all FIRs related to the incident. One of the FIRs has been registered against Deepak Kumar on charges including rioting, causing hurt and intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, in connection with the incident in Kotwa reported on January 26. Kumar was accused of clashing with Bajrang Dal members over their objection to Muslim shop owner Vakil Ahmed naming his shop ‘Baba’. A video of the altercation subsequently circulated widely on social media. Thereafter, Kumar moved the high court seeking quashing of the FIR.