Supreme Court Lawyers Back Gym Owner Who Rescued Man in Uttar Pradesh

Gym Owner’s Stand Against Harassment Draws Support from Supreme Court Advocates

New Delhi: A gym owner in Uttarakhand’s Kotdwar, Deepak Kumar, is receiving an outpouring of support, including from a group of Supreme Court advocates, following an incident where he intervened to protect an elderly man from harassment. The support comes after reports indicated a significant decline in membership at Kumar’s gym following the incident.

According to a Facebook post by Member of Parliament John Brittas, approximately 25 senior advocates from the Supreme Court have now become annual members of Kumar’s gym. Brittas also stated that the advocates have pledged to cover the membership fees for anyone in Kotdwar who may struggle to afford them. They have also offered to provide Kumar with free legal assistance, according to the post.

The incident that sparked the support began when Kumar intervened to prevent harassment of an elderly clothing vendor by a group of Bajrang Dal activists. Reports indicate that this act of intervention led to a retaliatory campaign against Kumar, resulting in a sharp decrease in the number of patrons visiting his gym. National media outlets reported that the gym, which previously had over 100 members, was down to as few as seven or eight.

Brittas, who visited Kumar in Kotdwar last week and expressed his solidarity, shared details of the situation on Facebook. He noted that he had taken an annual membership at the gym as a gesture of support and to protest against the harassment. “The reason for this was the hateful propaganda and aggression that followed, as those unhappy with Deepak rescuing the elderly Vakil Ahmed,” Brittas wrote.

“Now, 25 senior advocates from the Supreme Court have taken annual membership in Deepak’s gym. What’s more, they have decided to pay the membership fee for anyone in Kotdwar who has difficulty paying. They also offered to provide Deepak with free legal assistance,” Brittas continued in his post.

Brittas praised the advocates for their support, stating that their decision was a source of great joy and pride. He credited advocate P.V. Dinesh for initially inquiring about Kumar’s situation and rallying support among his colleagues. Brittas expressed surprise at the extent of the support Dinesh was able to garner.

“Here’s the real India; an India of love and brotherhood. This unity is what those who spread hatred fear,” Brittas wrote. “Deepak Kumar is now a great example for many.”

The incident highlights a growing trend of “bulldozer justice” in India, where properties are demolished in response to alleged offenses, often without due process. While not directly related to Kumar’s case, a report from SCobserver.in details Supreme Court hearings concerning illegal demolitions, noting that over 150,000 homes have been razed across the country since 2022, leaving approximately 738,000 people homeless. The report suggests that these demolitions often follow incidents involving the resident or property owner, with governments issuing encroachment notices as justification.

Elsewhere in India, law enforcement continues to address gang-related violence. According to The Times of India, Yogesh Kumar, a shooter associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, was arrested in Mathura after an encounter with police. He is allegedly linked to the murder of a gym owner, Nadir Shah, in Greater Kailash, Delhi. During interrogation, Kumar reportedly “boasted” that the gang was involved in the recent murder of NCP MLA Baba Siddiqui in Mumbai.

reports indicate that Bihar police detained a man who announced a reward for killing Uttarakhand-based gym owner Deepak Kumar, though it is unclear if this is the same Deepak Kumar mentioned above.