What is the Kanpur road rage case involving BJP corporator's bouncers assaulting a Sikh man?

The law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh has been severely disrupted by two significant crime incidents that occurred simultaneously on September 23.

Following violent clashes in Agra that left several police personnel injured, another shocking incident unfolded in Kanpur. Amol Deep Singh Bhatia, a 46-year-old Sikh man, suffered a severe assault by 5-6 bouncers associated with BJP corporator Saumya Shukla.

The attack resulted in the loss of one eye and severe damage to the other, with Bhatia currently receiving treatment in Delhi's Ganga Ram Hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

What happened

• The incident occurred on Kanpur's GT road as Amol Deep Singh Bhatia was returning home in his Thar, accompanied by his wife.
• According to Bhatia's wife, Guneet, who spoke to NDTV, Saumya Shukla's car repeatedly honked and pressured them to yield the right of way. However, due to a truck beside their car, they were unable to comply.
• Bhatia's wife alleged that, in a fit of rage, Shukla's car rear-ended them, prompting her husband to halt their vehicle.
• Subsequently, Shukla's car, occupied by 5-6 bouncers, blocked Bhatia's Thar and forcibly removed him from the car before assaulting him.
• Despite Guneet's pleas for Saumya Shukla and her husband to intervene and stop the violence, no action was taken to restrain their men.
• Guneet contacted her brother-in-law, who also arrived at the scene, only to be subjected to a similar beating.
• The family rushed Amol Deep to a Kanpur hospital, from where he was referred to Delhi.
• Using a road ambulance, the family transported Amol Deep to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. However, due to overcrowding, they had to redirect him to Ganga Ram Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical care.

Police response

Amol Deep's wife and father have alleged that the police have not taken adequate action against Saumya Shukla's associates.

In an interview with ABP News, Amol Deep's father claimed that the police have filed only minor charges in the case, potentially enabling the perpetrators to secure bail easily from the police station itself.

Saumya Shukla's defence

In a video statement released by BJP corporator Saumya Shukla, she vehemently denied all allegations of assaulting Amol Deep and instead asserted that he was heavily intoxicated and recklessly overtaking their vehicle, sparking the clash.

Shukla alleged that the altercation was initiated by Amol Deep, who even grabbed her hand, causing her injury.

Furthermore, Shukla accused Amol Deep's family of fabricating their eye injuries and claimed that they had produced counterfeit prescriptions to falsely implicate her and her husband.

She emphasized that the incident was being inaccurately portrayed as having a communal dimension and stated that she and her family have consistently respected the Sikh community.

Sikh community protests

In response to the perceived inaction by the police, members of the Sikh community staged a protest on Monday.

The protest, led by Yuva Sikh Morcha President Kawaljit Singh Manu, demanded strict action against the culprits by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on behalf of the Sikh community in Kanpur, as reported by Times of India.