Four held in Ujjain for blowing up car in Muharram stunt; police rule out communal angle

Four persons, including an Akhara organizer, have been arrested for blowing up a car suspended from a crane during Muharram procession in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain, officials said on Thursday (June 25, 2026), adding that the National Security Act (NSA) may be invoked against them. However, the police ruled out a social motive behind the action.

According to officials, the demonstration took place on Wednesday night, June 24, 2026, during the Muharram procession at Shere Adaan locality under Badnagar police station, when a minibus was suspended from a crane and blown up with firecrackers.

Viral videos show a white van suspended from a crane about 40 meters above the ground being blown up by fireworks inside, creating a significant explosion as attendees chanted hymns and raised religious flags. A message on a piece of paper reading “Le phir aa gaye (Here they come again)” was pasted on the windshield of the minibus.

Ujjain Superintendent of Police (SP) Pradeep Sharma said: Hindu An FIR was registered under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 125 (Action endangering the life or personal safety of others), Section 285 (Danger or obstruction in public place) and Section 288 (Negligent conduct in relation to explosives) after the police noticed video clips doing the rounds on social media.

Mr. Sharma said prime accused and Akhara organizer Shoiab Khan, two men who climbed into the car and waved religious flags after the blast, Zahid Khan and Tasleem Khan, and crane owner Gopal Mali were arrested.

“We have also identified the crane operator and will arrest him soon. Police are also checking video footage to determine whether more people were involved in the act,” the SP said, adding that locals had demanded NSA action.

“The police are evaluating this,” he said.

Collector Raushan Kumar Singh stated that no permission had been taken from the administration for any demonstration and termed it as a “one-time incident”.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Singh said, “Usually this does not happen. Even this year, the marches continue peacefully for two-three days. Some miscreants did this. We are keeping strict vigil.”

Mr. Singh said a flag march was being held on Thursday, June 25, 2026, to raise awareness about the rules and timing of the parade.

Additional SP Karandeep Singh said police investigation did not find any common angle in the incident and it was found that the demonstration was part of competition between local akharas to attract more crowds.

“Akharas here often hold some demonstrations to attract crowds but this type of action involving a car and this amount of explosives is a first. Akharas usually hold normal demonstrations on land. The use of fireworks is not allowed,” Addl said. SP added that the organizers used strong Deepavali crackers in the closed-door van to create a bigger impact.

“We did not encounter any social viewpoint or attempt to create discomfort in the incident,” he said.