Stunt Gone Wrong: Four Arrested for Blowing Up Car During Muharram in Ujjain; Police Rule Out Communal Motive

Four men, including an akhara organiser, have been arrested in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain for blowing up a car suspended from a crane during Muharram processions, officials said on Thursday. The police said they are considering invoking the National Security Act (NSA) against the accused, but have ruled out any communal angle.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night in the Shere Adaan locality under Badnagar police station, where a van was hoisted by a crane and detonated using firecrackers. Videos circulating on social media show the white van hanging about 40 feet in the air before being blown up, causing a large explosion. Attendees were seen chanting and waving religious flags. A paper pasted on the van's windshield read, 'Le phir aa gaye' (Here they come again).

Ujjain Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma said an FIR was registered under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 125 (act endangering life or personal safety), Section 285 (danger or obstruction in a public way), and Section 288 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substances).

The arrested individuals are identified as prime accused and akhara organiser Shoiab Khan, Zahid Khan, Tasleem Khan—who climbed the car after the blast and waved religious flags—and crane owner Gopal Mali. The crane operator has been identified and will be arrested soon, police said. Authorities are reviewing video footage to identify any other participants.

Collector Raushan Kumar Singh termed the stunt a 'one-off incident' and said no permission was sought from the administration. He noted that this year's processions had been peaceful over two to three days, and that a flag march was conducted on Thursday to raise awareness about rules and timings.

Additional Superintendent of Police Karandeep Singh stated that the investigation found no communal motive. He explained that the stunt was part of a competition among local akharas to attract larger crowds. 'Akharas often perform acts to draw crowds, but this kind of stunt involving a car and explosives is unprecedented. Usually, they organise ground-level stunts. No permission is granted for firecrackers,' he said. The organisers used powerful Deepavali crackers inside the closed van to create a bigger impact, he added.

Police continue to investigate and maintain strict vigil to prevent similar incidents.