Four Arrested in Ujjain for Dangerous Stunt During Muharram Procession
In a startling incident that unfolded during the Muharram festivities, four individuals, including an organiser from an Akhara, have been apprehended in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. This action comes after they allegedly blew up a car suspended from a crane, a stunt executed on the night of June 24, 2026, raising significant safety concerns. According to officials, the National Security Act (NSA) may be invoked against them, although authorities have ruled out any communal motives behind the act.
The incident took place in the Shere Adaan locality, falling under the jurisdiction of the Badnagar police station. Footage that has since gone viral captured the alarming moment when a white van, hanging approximately 40 feet in the air, was detonated with firecrackers from within, leading to a loud explosion. Attendees at the processions, while chanting slogans and waving religious flags, documented the shocking display. Notably, a piece of paper bearing the message “Le phir aa gaye (Here they come again)” was affixed to the windshield.
Ujjain’s Superintendent of Police, Pradeep Sharma, confirmed to The Hindu that an FIR was filed after police reviewed the inflammatory video clips circulating online. This case has been registered under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections pertaining to endangering life, public safety dangers, and negligent conduct involving explosive materials. The principal suspect, Shoiab Khan, who is an Akhara organiser, along with two other individuals, Zahid Khan and Tasleem Khan, who were seen climbing the vehicle post-explosion, and crane owner Gopal Mali are among those arrested.
Sharma also mentioned that they are in the process of identifying the crane operator for further apprehension. The investigation is ongoing, with police checking video records to potentially identify additional individuals involved.
District Collector Raushan Kumar Singh indicated that no permission had been sought for such a hazardous stunt, labeling it as a “one-off incident.” He noted that the processions had been conducted peacefully for the past two to three days prior to this occurrence, attributing the act to miscreants and assuring that authorities are maintaining heightened vigilance.
On June 25, 2026, a flag march was organized to enhance awareness about the regulations and timelines for the processions. Additional Superintendent of Police Karandeep Singh reiterated that the investigation thus far has shown no signs of communal undertones. He explained that while local akharas occasionally engage in attention-grabbing performances, this specific stunt—utilizing a vehicle and high volumes of explosives—is unprecedented.
“Typically, akharas stage typical on-ground events, and using firecrackers of such magnitude is a deviation from what is allowed,” Singh remarked, adding that the organisers had employed potent firecrackers typically reserved for Deepavali celebrations, enclosed in a van to maximize the effect. He insisted that no communal intent or efforts to incite disruption were identified in this particular incident.
