The Uttarakhand High Court has directed a gym owner at the centre of a recent communal flashpoint to refrain from making statements on social media while the police investigation into the case is ongoing.

The case involves Deepak Kumar, who had drawn national attention after introducing himself as “Mohammad Deepak” while intervening to defend a Muslim shopkeeper allegedly targeted by a group of Hindutva activists.

The court, however, declined to quash the FIR filed against him and emphasised the need for him to cooperate fully with the investigation.

According to Bar and Bench, Justice Rakesh Thapliyal observed that public commentary on social media could interfere with the probe and therefore restricted Kumar from making statements online. The court noted that as a citizen, he must abide by the law and place trust in the investigative process.

“The petitioners are directed to cooperate with the investigation and not to indulge unnecessarily on social media platforms so that investigation is not affected. He is citizen of this country and he should abide by the law. Being citizen of India, he has to cooperate with investigation by hoping and trust that investigation will be conducted in fair and transparent manner,” the court said.

The judge also appeared to accept the state’s contention that Kumar had not been adequately cooperating with the investigation and was instead active on social media platforms.

The incident dates back to Republic Day, when a group allegedly entered a shop named ‘Baba School Dress and Clothing’ and pressured its owner, Wakeel Ahmad, to change its name. In a video that circulated widely, members of the group were seen issuing threats, prompting Kumar and his associates to intervene. During the exchange, Kumar identified himself as “Mohammad Deepak,” a gesture that drew both appreciation and criticism across social and political circles.

Subsequently, a group associated with the Bajrang Dal reportedly gathered outside Kumar’s residence and issued threats. Police later registered an FIR against Kumar and others based on a complaint filed by members of the group, invoking charges related to causing hurt, rioting, criminal intimidation and breach of peace.

At the same time, questions were raised over the police response, as FIRs filed against the mob did not name any individuals, despite claims that some had been identified.

During the hearing, Kumar’s counsel questioned the selective action taken by the police. In response, the court cautioned against amplifying the matter and issued a direct warning to the petitioner against public commentary.

“That is part of the investigation. Don’t sensationalise. I will restrain you from giving any statement on social media. Just now, I am restraining you because you are an accused facing investigation. I am stopping you just now. Don’t give any statement on social media. It is my strict direction to you,” Justice Thapliyal said.

Earlier, the court had also described Kumar’s plea seeking quashing of the FIR, protection from coercive action and a departmental inquiry against police officials as an abuse of process.

The case continues to draw attention as it raises broader questions about policing, communal tensions and the role of social media during ongoing investigations.