A group of nearly two dozen vigilantes on Saturday barged into a café in Bareilly and allegedly assaulted the staff and a group of friends who had gathered there to celebrate a girl’s birthday, while levelling allegations of “love jihad”.
The incident was triggered by the presence of two youths from the Muslim community in the birthday party, it is learnt.
The assailants also allegedly vandalised the café. Videos of the incident have surfaced on social media.
An FIR was registered against the two accused by name — Rishabh Thakur and Deepak Pathak — and 25 of their unidentified associates, police said. All of them were absconding till the filing of the report.
While it was alleged that Rishabh and Deepak, both local residents, have links with the Bajrang Dal, the organisation’s Bareilly coordinator Aryan Chaudhary denied the claim, saying they had no association with the outfit.
However, two birthday party revellers, Shaan and Waqaib, along with the café owner, Shailendra Gangwar, were detained invoking provisions of breach of peace. They were released later on bail on personal bonds, officials said.
“Shaan and Waqif along with the café owner were detained for breach of peace after a heated argument between the two sides. The café was booked for birthday celebration by Shaan and Waqif,” said Rajbali Singh, Station House Officer of Prem Nagar police station.
Efforts were underway to trace Rishabh Thakur and Deepak Pathak, against whom the FIR was registered on the complaint of Shailendra Gangwar, police said.
CCTV footage and videos of the incident were being examined to identify other persons involved, SHO Singh said.
No one sustained serious injuries in the incident, or was admitted to hospital, he added.
It was alleged that Rishabh and Deepak are self-proclaimed cow vigilantes and have in the past created disturbances in the area over “love jihad” and other issues.
According to the complainant, the incident took place around 2 pm on December 27, when some customers were celebrating birthday in the restaurant. Rishabh and Deepak, accompanied by 20–25 unidentified persons, suddenly arrived and created a ruckus, he alleged, adding the group hurled abuses at the staff and customers, assaulted them, and issued threats to kill.
The assailants vandalised expensive items inside the restaurant, causing extensive damage, he claimed. The attack led to panic among people and resulted in significant financial losses to him, he alleged.
Bareilly Circle Officer Ashutosh Shivam said upon receiving information about the incident, police immediately rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.
In the video circulating on social media, the girl whose birthday was being celebrated is purportedly heard saying that around 12-13 people, including two persons from the Muslim community, were present at the party. She alleged that while the celebration was underway, a group of assailants suddenly arrived, raised slogans, and attacked those present.
She further alleged that the attackers misbehaved with her and attempted to snatch her mobile phone.
According to her statement in the video, the assailants also levelled false accusations of “love jihad” and severely assaulted the two Muslim youths. She said the police arrived shortly and ensured their safety. The police then took them along for questioning, during which she narrated the sequence of events.
The FIR against the vigilantes was registered under Sections 333 (house trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 351 (criminal intimidation), 324 (mischief), 191 (rioting) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.