Bhopal 'interfaith couple' case: Police says no one who 'beat' Muslim youth was associated with Bajrang Dal, details
“Representatives of right-wing organisations have informed that they are a disciplined organisation and these individuals are not their members,” the SHO said.
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A major revelation has emerged in the Bhopal 'interfaith couple' case in which the Islamists protested on the streets, saying that an 'interfaith couple' was allegedly beaten by Bajrang Dal members. In a major update, the police have confirmed that the 7 accused arrested in the case were not associated with the Bajrang Dal or any other right-wing organisation.
Meanwhile, the 29-year-old Muslim man who was assaulted has also been arrested in connection with older pending cases. SHO Tomar said the man had recently been released from jail and was allegedly involved in two mobile phone theft cases, following which he was taken into custody. It was also reported that he owned a fake ID card when caught with a Hindu woman in a hotel.
What is the case?
The mobilisation reportedly took place after an Islamist, identified as Arif Khan, with a fake ID, was caught with a Hindu woman. The duo was confronted by alleged Hindu activists at a hotel in the Govindpura area after the activists found that the Islamist had concealed his identity while staying with the woman.
Videos from the protest that surfaced online showed groups raising slogans such as “Nara-e-Takbeer” and “Allah-u-Akbar”, while several Islamists issued warnings and threats directed at members of Hindu organisations, particularly the Bajrang Dal.
The protest gained further attention after allegations surfaced that leaders associated with All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), including state president Mohsin Ali Khan, addressed the gathering outside the Police Commissionerate. According to videos circulated online, one speaker made aggressive remarks, warning Hindu activists of retaliation. In one widely shared speech, the speaker allegedly declared:
“Muslims of Bhopal will no longer tolerate them… We will drag them to the streets and lynch them… Wherever I find them, I will thrash them. I take full responsibility.”
What triggered controversy?
However, police investigations reportedly revealed that Arif Khan had multiple criminal cases registered against him, including cases related to fraud, theft, and criminal breach of trust across various police stations in Bhopal. Officials stated that several court cases against him are still pending.
Now, it has come to the fore that the activists who were arrested based on the FIR filed by local social worker Mohmmad Uwais Rahmani, who said he was disturbed after watching the viral video, and later spoke to the assaulted Muslim youth at the police station, were not associated with the Bajrang Dal or any Hindu organization.
The complaint by Rahmani stated that the victim suffered physical injuries and severe mental trauma, and that the incident allegedly created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity for him and his family. It further mentioned that videos of the assault were circulated widely on social media and carried by news platforms.
According to Govindpura SHO Awadhesh Singh Tomar, one of the accused is a juvenile, while the others have been identified as Brijendra Prajapati, Prateek Chouksey, Lalaram Meena, Ramesh, Ajay, and Aman. “Representatives of right-wing organisations have informed that they are a disciplined organisation and these individuals are not their members,” the SHO said.
Meanwhile, the 29-year-old Muslim man who was assaulted has also been arrested in connection with older pending cases. SHO Tomar said the man had recently been released from jail and was allegedly involved in two mobile phone theft cases, following which he was taken into custody. It was also reported that he owned a fake ID card when caught with a Hindu woman in a hotel.
What is the case?
Communal tensions intensified in Bhopal on May 14 after large crowds gathered outside the Police Commissionerate and at Imami Gate, raising “Sar Tan Se Juda” slogans and issuing threats against alleged Hindu activists following an alleged controversy involving an interfaith couple at a city hotel. Videos of provocative speeches, religious sloganeering, and open threats have triggered a major political and social debate in the state capital.
ALSO READ: “Sar Tan Se Juda” chants in Bhopal after interfaith couple hotel row; Radical threats against Hindu activists spark outrage
The mobilisation reportedly took place after an Islamist, identified as Arif Khan, with a fake ID, was caught with a Hindu woman. The duo was confronted by alleged Hindu activists at a hotel in the Govindpura area after the activists found that the Islamist had concealed his identity while staying with the woman.
Videos from the protest that surfaced online showed groups raising slogans such as “Nara-e-Takbeer” and “Allah-u-Akbar”, while several Islamists issued warnings and threats directed at members of Hindu organisations, particularly the Bajrang Dal.
“Muslims of Bhopal will no longer tolerate them… We will drag them to the streets and lynch them… Wherever I find them, I will thrash them. I take full responsibility.”
What triggered controversy?
The protests were triggered by an incident inside a hotel in Bhopal on Sunday, May 10 evening. According to reports, the arrested activists reached the hotel after receiving information that a Muslim man and a Hindu woman were staying there together, allegedly under suspicious circumstances. Activists reportedly questioned the man over allegations that he had used a fake identity while interacting with the woman.
MP Police are giving proper treatment to jihadi elements who were trying to jam Bhopal. pic.twitter.com/VuY4k8kiEP
— Tajinder Bagga (@TajinderBagga) May 13, 2026
The confrontation escalated, and videos later emerged showing the man being publicly humiliated before being handed over to the police. His face was allegedly smeared with ink and cow dung during the altercation. Police identified the man as 27-year-old Arif Khan from Jahangirabad. At the police station, the woman reportedly stated that she had ‘willingly’ been in a relationship with Arif for several years and denied allegations of coercion or forced conversion. She also declined to file a complaint against him.
However, police investigations reportedly revealed that Arif Khan had multiple criminal cases registered against him, including cases related to fraud, theft, and criminal breach of trust across various police stations in Bhopal. Officials stated that several court cases against him are still pending.
Now, it has come to the fore that the activists who were arrested based on the FIR filed by local social worker Mohmmad Uwais Rahmani, who said he was disturbed after watching the viral video, and later spoke to the assaulted Muslim youth at the police station, were not associated with the Bajrang Dal or any Hindu organization.
The complaint by Rahmani stated that the victim suffered physical injuries and severe mental trauma, and that the incident allegedly created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity for him and his family. It further mentioned that videos of the assault were circulated widely on social media and carried by news platforms.