Senior SC advocates buy membership at ‘Mohammad’ Deepak’s gym hit by shop name row
New Delhi (PTI): Around a dozen senior advocates of the Supreme Court have taken up the cause of Deepak Kumar, whose 'Hulk' gym in Uttarakhand's Kotdwara, once a bustling hub with over 150 members, has been deserted by all but a few regulars after a heated row over a shop name, sources said.
Deepak Kumar, the 42-year-old gym owner, earlier told PTI that his business had collapsed since he confronted Bajrang Dal activists protesting against a garment shop named 'Baba', and identified himself as 'Mohammad Deepak'.
He said the ongoing tension made his livelihood a casualty of the dispute.
A lawyer, who did not wish to be named, said that around 12 senior advocates of the Supreme Court purchased the gym’s membership for a year after paying a fee of Rs 10,000 each.
The membership card carrying the name of the original contributor would be provided to local gym enthusiasts who were unable to pay the fees, the lawyer said.
"Earlier, over 150 people used to train at my gym. Since this dispute began, the headcount has dwindled to just 12-15,” Kumar had told PTI, adding that regulars were staying away to avoid the friction.
Now Deepak has also been offered pro bono legal representation by some other advocates, the lawyer said.
“The legal fraternity is in solidarity with Deepak,” said another advocate.
On January 26, Bajrang Dal activists protested outside the 'Baba' clothing store on Patel Marg in Kotdwar to pressure its 70-year-old owner, Vakil Ahmed, to change the name of the shop.
During the protest, clashes broke out between the Bajrang Dal members, Vakil Ahmed, and his son's friend Deepak Kumar, after which Kumar, identifying himself as Mohammad Deepak, forced the protesters to retreat.
Fresh concerns emerged following a viral video by the Hindu Raksha Dal, in which a man could be seen threatening to march to Kotdwara on February 12 to "teach Deepak a lesson".
Local authorities have maintained a strict vigil on the matter to prevent further escalation.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
