Kotdwar Gym Owner Known for Confronting Bajrang Dal Granted Bail in Threat Case

Current Summary

Deepak Kumar, a Kotdwar gym owner locally known as 'Mohammad Deepak' who had drawn attention earlier this year for confronting Bajrang Dal members harassing a Muslim shopkeeper, was granted bail on Friday, a day after his arrest for allegedly threatening local businessman Sanjeev Tonk. Kumar was produced before the Sub-Divisional Magistrate's court in Kotdwar and released on three bonds of Rs 50,000 each. He was also issued a notice under Section 130 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita warning of action if he breaches the peace over the next six months. According to Tonk's complaint, Kumar visited his shop on Gangadutt Joshi Marg on Thursday morning, where Tonk was standing with fellow traders Irfan, Ahsan, Mohnish and Saddam discussing business. Tonk alleged Kumar asked the traders why they were standing with him, a Hindu, then abused him, tried to hit him and threatened to kill him after Tonk had earlier commented on a social media post Kumar shared about the demolition of a mosque in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Police initially registered the case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections covering criminal intimidation and intentional insult, later adding sections for promoting enmity between groups and voluntarily causing hurt based on CCTV footage and investigation. The magistrate cautioned Kumar to exercise care in future social media posts given his large following. A senior police official said the probe also found Deepak had a history of prior disputes. Since the Bajrang Dal confrontation earlier this year, Kumar has faced protests outside his gym, a death threat offering Rs 2 lakh for his killing, and a sharp decline in his business; the Supreme Court stayed proceedings in that earlier case in August.

What Changed

• 3 Oct, 08:01 am
  A Hindu report identifies the confrontation site as outside Tonk's shop on Gangadutt Joshi Marg. Tonk said he was standing with fellow traders Irfan, Ahsan, Mohnish and Saddam discussing business when Kumar approached, asked why they were standing with him, a Hindu, then abused him and threatened to kill him when Tonk objected.
• 3 Oct, 06:51 am
  Since the Bajrang Dal confrontation earlier this year, Kumar has faced protests outside his gym, a death threat offering Rs 2 lakh for his killing, and a sharp decline in his business. The Supreme Court stayed proceedings in that earlier case in August.
• 3 Oct, 06:51 am
  The dispute originated from a social media disagreement over a post concerning the demolition of a mosque in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. The magistrate also cautioned Kumar to exercise care in future social media posts given his large following.
• 3 Oct, 03:01 am
  Additional reporting identifies Deepak Kumar by the local nickname 'Mohammad Deepak.' Police said their investigation into the threat complaint also uncovered a prior history of disputes involving Deepak.
• 2 Oct, 08:10 pm
  Signal detected: Kotdwar Gym Owner Known for Confronting Bajrang Dal Granted Bail in Threat Case

Background

Deepak Kumar previously gained attention in Pauri Garhwal for intervening when Bajrang Dal members harassed a Muslim shopkeeper, a confrontation that made him locally known before this unrelated threat complaint.