New Delhi: The Uttarakhand High Court on Thursday (March 20) criticised gym owner ‘Mohammad’ Deepak Kumar for filing a petition before it, saying the plea seeking police protection and action against police officers and other prayers amounted to an attempt to “influence the investigation” and apply pressure on the investigating agency.According to multiple news reports published Thursday, while hearing a petition to quash an FIR against Kumar – who stood up to a right-wing crowd in defence of an old Muslim man being harassed in Kotdwar in the state last month – Justice Rakesh Thapliyal said that as a “suspected accused”, he could not seek the reliefs he wanted, such as protection. He was also told he could not seek a departmental inquiry against police officials.“This is complete abuse of process. The person who is an accused is praying for protection? They [police] are competent. Trust them. You are a suspected accused,” the Bench said, as per a report in Bar and Bench.The court described Kumar’s prayer for action against those who make hate speeches as “wholly unwarranted” and a “pressure tactic”, according to Live Law. Kumar filed the petition with his friend, Vijay Rawat.As per the court, the petitioner could approach a magistrate under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, Live Law reported. “Instead of availing that remedy, filing a petition for registration is wholly unwarranted, particularly when the person who is praying for the FIR is himself an accused in an FIR,” the court observed, calling it a practice to put “pressure upon the investigating agency”.The bench also questioned Kumar’s claims of threat to his safety. “Has anyone raised their hand at you?” the court asked, the Indian Express reported. Adding that the police were competent to ensure his safety while conducting the investigation, the bench said:What type of prayer is this? Can you pray for this. This is a pressure tactic. I will dismiss with exemplary costs on the petitioner. When you file petition, you should keep in your mind who are you and what is your status in the petition. Your status is of suspected accused. A person who is a suspected accused praying for departmental inquiry… A suspected accused is praying for protection.The case stems from a January 26 incident in Kotdwar, where Kumar – popularly known as Mohammad Deepak – confronted members of the right-wing Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), as they pressured a Muslim shopkeeper to change the name of his store.A video of the incident, in which Kumar identified himself as “Mohammad Deepak”, had gone viral. Following the incident, multiple FIRs were registered, including one against Kumar by members of right-wing group VHP on charges such as rioting and disturbing public order, and others based on complaints by the shopkeeper and Kumar himself.He subsequently received death threats for having confronted the members of both Hindutva groups, leading the High Court to ask Kotdwar Police what action it had taken so far in the case, the Hindu reported on March 17. It also asked for details of funds received by Kumar since the incident.On Thursday, the court noted that FIRs had already been registered on Kumar’s complaints before he filed the petition that came up on Thursday for a hearing.Kumar’s plea had alleged partisan conduct by the police and sought a departmental inquiry against “erring officials”. The court said no material had been placed on the record to support his charges, and that the investigations were ongoing, which meant the charges could not be raised at this juncture.During the hearing, Kumar’s counsel argued that he had received threats both online and offline, but the state maintained there was no threat perception and that appropriate steps had already been taken.The High Court did not pass a final order and listed the matter for further hearing, asking the petitioner’s counsel to verify certain aspects, including details of FIRs and funds reportedly received by Kumar following the incident. There was an outpouring of sympathy and concern for Kumar. But at the same time, Kumar had to face hostile crowds in Kotdwar, including one that gathered outside his gym, which led to loss of clientele.One of the three FIRs lodged by police related to the March 6 incident is against that mob. The first is against VHP and Bajrang Dal members, based on the shopkeeper’s complaint. The second is against Kumar, accusing him of “snatching” and disturbing public order, based on a complaint by VHP members.