The Supreme Court docket on Monday stayed proceedings arising from an FIR towards Dehradun gymnasium proprietor ‘Mohammed’ Deepak Kumar, who had approached the court docket searching for quashing of the case over allegations stemming from a confrontation involving Bajrang Dal members and a Muslim shopkeeper.
The Court docket additionally stayed the operation of the order handed by the Excessive Court docket that had restrained Deepak from making social media posts concerning the incident and the case.
A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta handed the interim order whereas issuing discover to the respondents in Deepak’s petition difficult the High Court’s refusal to quash the FIR.
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, showing for Deepak, argued that his shopper had intervened after Bajrang Dal members objected to a Muslim shopkeeper utilizing the phrase “Baba” in his store’s identify. When the mob confronted Deepak asking his identify, he replied, “Mohammed Deepak.” The video of the incident, which passed off on Republic Day, had gone viral on social media.
Singhvi stated Deepak had gone to help the shopkeeper after the incident. He argued that Deepak had himself lodged complaints relating to the incident, however that no motion had been taken on them, whereas an FIR was registered towards him.
“How can a very good samaritan be subjected to this sort of a grievance?” Singhvi instructed the court docket.
The senior advocate additionally referred to videographic proof and questioned the reasoning of the Excessive Court docket order. He additionally highlighted that rioting cost beneath part 191 BNS had been invoked towards the petitioner regardless that no important elements had been made out, although it was finally dropped as no elements had been made out.
Singhvi additional argued that the offences invoked towards Deepak had been punishable with imprisonment of lower than seven years and that the ideas laid down within the Supreme Court docket’s tips in Arnesh Kumar subsequently utilized.
He additionally raised issues concerning the Excessive Court docket’s path proscribing the petitioner from posting messages or movies concerning the incident on social media. Singhvi stated that as a substitute of giving aid to the petitioner, the Excessive Court docket imposed a “blanket gag order” on him.
The Supreme Court docket, whereas issuing discover returnable in 4 weeks, ordered that proceedings pursuant to the impugned FIR shall stay stayed within the meantime. It additionally stayed the impact and operation of the impugned Excessive Court docket order, together with the restriction regarding social media posts.
Case: DEEPAK KUMAR @ AKKI Vs STATE OF UTTARAKHAND | Diary No. 49709 / 2026
