By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
The Uttarakhand police have arrested gym owner Deepak Kumar alias Mohammad Deepak from Kotdwar area in Pauri district after a complaint alleging abuse, threats and other conduct that police said had the potential to disturb law and order.
According to Pauri district police, Sanjeev Tonk submitted a complaint at Kotdwar police station on October 1, alleging that Deepak had abused him, used offensive language and threatened to kill him. Police registered a case under Sections 351(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and subsequently added Sections 196 and 115 during the investigation.
Police said CCTV footage from the spot, along with photographs and video evidence, was examined and prima facie indicated that the accused had abused and threatened the complainant. Taking into account the evidence and what police described as the possibility of a disturbance to peace and law and order, Deepak was arrested under Section 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Deepak, however, is not new to public attention in Kotdwar. He came into the national spotlight earlier this year after intervening when a group of men claiming to be associated with the Bajrang Dal confronted an elderly Muslim shopkeeper over the use of the word “Baba” in the name of his shop. Deepak confronted the group and famously introduced himself as “Mohammad Deepak”. The episode was captured on video and widely circulated on social media.
The incident subsequently led to threats and protests outside Deepak’s gym and home, according to media reports. In an Instagram video responding to the controversy, Deepak said: “I am not a Hindu, I am not a Muslim, I am not a Sikh, and I am not a Christian. First and foremost, I am a human being.” He said he believed that ultimately he had to answer to God and humanity rather than to any particular religion.
The earlier controversy had a significant impact on his life and business. Reports said the number of people visiting his gym fell sharply after the confrontation, while he continued to face opposition and threats.
The current case is separate from that earlier controversy. Police said their present action followed the October 1 complaint, the CCTV examination and other evidence gathered during the investigation. The allegations against Deepak in the present case remain subject to the legal process.
Pauri police said maintaining peace, security and communal harmony in the district was its top priority and warned that those attempting to take the law into their own hands, issue threats or disturb public order would face action according to law.