UP Police Externs Former Bajrang Dal Member Under Goonda Act for Six Months
In a decisive move, the Uttar Pradesh Police have externed Rishabh Thakur, a former Bajrang Dal member, from Bareilly district for six months under the stringent Goonda Act. This action comes with immediate effect following his involvement in a disturbing incident at a local cafe where he assaulted students from a minority community.
Immediate Externment and Police Escort
Upon his release from jail, Thakur was promptly escorted out of Bareilly district by local police officers on Thursday. Bareilly SSP Anurag Arya emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that the externment was necessitated by Thakur's criminal antecedents. He was dropped at the Budaun district border and sternly warned against re-entering Bareilly during the six-month externment period.
The Cafe Assault Incident
The controversy stems from an event on December 27, when Thakur, accompanied by a few aides, forcibly entered a cafe in Bareilly. A nursing student was celebrating her birthday with friends, including two male students from a minority community. Thakur and his men created a ruckus, physically assaulting the woman's friends and accusing them of "love jihad." A video of this assault went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage.
Legal Proceedings and Social Media Backlash
Following the incident, police registered an FIR, but Thakur initially went absconding. Authorities obtained a non-bailable warrant from the court and posted a notice at his residence. On January 16, amid mounting social media backlash, Thakur surrendered before the court and was placed in judicial custody. After completing his custody period and being granted bail, the externment action was swiftly implemented.
Background and Organizational Disassociation
Thakur had previously projected himself as a cow vigilante and was associated with the Bajrang Dal. However, in the wake of the cafe incident, the right-wing organization issued a statement clarifying that he had already been expelled from their ranks, distancing themselves from his actions.
This case highlights the UP Police's firm stance against criminal activities, utilizing the Goonda Act to maintain public order and safety in Bareilly district.
