A major development has emerged in the controversial Bhopal hotel incident after Madhya Pradesh Police stated that the accused arrested for allegedly assaulting a Muslim man were not associated with the Bajrang Dal or any other Hindu organisation. The case, which has sparked intense political and communal debate in Madhya Pradesh, revolves around allegations that a Muslim man used a fake identity card while staying with a Hindu woman in a hotel in Bhopal’s Govindpura area.
According to Govindpura SHO Awadhesh Singh Tomar, seven accused have been identified in the assault case, including one juvenile. The others were identified as Brijendra Prajapati, Prateek Chouksey, Lalaram Meena, Ramesh, Ajay, and Aman. Police stated that representatives of right-wing organisations informed authorities that the arrested individuals were not members of their organisations.
The controversy erupted after local activists reportedly reached a hotel in Govindpura on May 10 following information that a Muslim man and a Hindu woman were staying there together under suspicious circumstances.
According to reports, the activists confronted the man after discovering that he had allegedly concealed his identity and used a fake ID card while checking into the hotel with the woman.
The situation escalated inside the hotel premises and videos later surfaced on social media showing the Muslim man being publicly humiliated before being handed over to police. Reports alleged that his face was smeared with ink and cow dung during the altercation. Police identified him as 27-year-old Arif Khan from Jahangirabad area of Bhopal.
At the police station, the Hindu woman reportedly stated that she had willingly been in a relationship with Arif Khan for several years and denied allegations of coercion or forced religious conversion. She also reportedly refused to file any complaint against him.
Meanwhile, police later arrested Arif Khan in connection with older pending criminal cases. SHO Tomar said the accused had recently been released from jail and was allegedly involved in two mobile phone theft cases. Officials further revealed that multiple criminal cases related to fraud, theft, and criminal breach of trust were already registered against him across different police stations in Bhopal, while several cases are still pending before courts.
Communal tensions escalated further on May 14 after large crowds gathered outside the Police Commissionerate and Imami Gate in Bhopal. Videos circulating online showed groups raising slogans including “Nara-e-Takbeer”, “Allah-u-Akbar” and alleged “Sar Tan Se Juda” chants while issuing warnings against Hindu activists.
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 protests reportedly intensified after speeches made during the gathering went viral on social media. Allegations also surfaced that leaders linked to All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), including state president Mohsin Ali Khan, addressed the crowd outside the Police Commissionerate. According to videos circulated online, one speaker allegedly threatened Hindu activists and warned of retaliation.
The FIR in the assault case was filed based on a complaint by local social worker Mohammad Uwais Rahmani, who stated that he was disturbed after watching the viral video and later met the assaulted youth at the police station. The complaint alleged that the victim suffered physical injuries and severe mental trauma due to the incident and that circulation of the videos on social media created fear among his family members.
Police investigations into both the assault and the subsequent communal protests are currently underway.
