Overview
- Justice Rakesh Thapliyal directed state authorities to file status updates on investigations in all FIRs arising from the January 26 incident.
- The court ordered petitioner Deepak Kumar to submit an affidavit detailing the total donations credited to his bank account after the video spread online.
- The bench signaled scepticism about pleas for police protection and a departmental inquiry, stressing that the ongoing probe should proceed.
- Deepak’s petition argues the police lodged an unnamed case against the mob despite video evidence while registering a named FIR against him, and failed to act on his complaint over the January 31 protest.
- Kotdwar police recorded three cases, including one against VHP/Bajrang Dal members, one naming Deepak on allegations of snatching and intimidation, and another against unidentified protesters; the matter is next listed for March 19.