The Uttarakhand High Court on Friday (March 20, 2026) refused to quash an FIR lodged against Kotdwar-based gym owner Deepak Kumar who came into national focus after he confronted a group of right-wing activists accused of harassing a 71-year-old Muslim shop owner and pressuring him to rename his store in the town on January 26.
A video of the confrontation later went viral, particularly for the moment when he identified himself as ‘Mera naam Mohammad Deepak’.
Justice Rakesh Thapliyal also directed Mr. Kumar to refrain from posting statements or videos on social media that could affect the ongoing investigation.
In the aftermath of the incident, Mr. Kumar reported receiving threats, and on January 31, a group gathered outside his gym in protest. The police registered three FIRs in connection with the episode with one among them lodged against Mr. Kumar. The incident also led to an outpouring of support for Mr. Kumar from across the country, though he stated that his business suffered as gym memberships declined following his intervention.
Uttarakhand High Court questions ‘Mohammad’ Deepak’s plea for protection, calls it ‘pressure tactic’
