Bareilly Police Arrest Five in Alleged Bajrang Dal Attack on Birthday Party
Bareilly police have arrested five individuals and placed one minor in protective custody following an incident where members of Bajrang Dal reportedly stormed a birthday party at a local café, assaulted guests, and accused two Muslim attendees of “love jihad.” The incident occurred on December 27 when a group entered the café, verbally abused staff and customers, vandalized the premises, and threatened violence when confronted.
According to a statement from the Premnagar police, the café owner filed a complaint that led to the registration of an FIR (Case No. 532/25) under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police reviewed CCTV footage and other evidence to identify the accused.
On December 29, authorities arrested Prince Singh (19), Akash (21), Ashish alias Paras Johri (26), Mridul alias Manish Dubey, and Deepak (19) at the MB College ground. One juvenile was also taken into custody; however, the primary suspect, Rishabh Thakur, remains at large.
Aryan Chaudhary, a Bajrang Dal member in Bareilly, disputed the group’s involvement, alleging that the police were targeting the organization and suggesting that the police official acted with prejudice against Hindus. Chaudhary had previously led a protest outside the Kotwali police station and recited the Hanuman Chalisa outside a church.
In a video statement circulating on social media, Chaudhary claimed, “Circle officer Ashutosh of Prem Nagar has a grudge against Hindus and Bajrang Dal, thus he deliberately implicated Hindu boys in the café incident.” He stated that the police targeted Bajrang Dal.
During police questioning, detainees allegedly confessed that they vandalized the café under the direction of Rishabh Thakur and Deepak Pathak. Law enforcement indicated that further legal measures are in place and that the arrested individuals are being presented in court.
The case is registered under various sections of the BNS, including 333, 115(2), and 352, among others. Ongoing investigations are set to continue.
Meanwhile, the family of the female student who hosted the birthday party expressed concerns over the lack of strict action against the perpetrators. Aneeta Gangwar, the aunt of the female student, called for police to apprehend Rishabh and Deepak, asserting, “The main accused, who were boasting about being part of Bajrang Dal, are still roaming freely.”
Gangwar also accused the police of failing to register their second complaint, stating, “They tell us they will add our complaint to the café owner’s.” She criticized the police for invoking lenient charges against the accused, emphasizing, “What will happen next? They will come out in a few days and repeat the same thing with someone else?”
The birthday celebration included ten students, consisting of six women and four men, with only two Muslim males in attendance. According to the victim, the event was a private gathering among classmates without any objectionable content. However, the situation escalated when the group of Hindutva activists confronted the café, questioning the presence of Muslim males with Hindu females and allegedly assaulted both the Muslim students and the birthday girl.
Videos of the confrontation captured heated exchanges inside the café, showcasing members of Bajrang Dal harassing the female attendee and physically assaulting her friends.
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