India
oi-Prakash KL
In a shocking incident that has sparked outrage, a group of people hoisted a van nearly 40 feet in the air using a crane during a Muharram procession in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain district and then blew it up mid-air with firecrackers – all in full view of a dense crowd.
The bizarre episode unfolded at Jai Stambh Chowk in Badnagar town on Wednesday night, but it was only on Thursday, after a clip of the act went viral on social media, that the police swung into action and detained three individuals.
In Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, three individuals were detained after hoisting a Tata Magic van with a crane and detonating it midway during a Muharram procession, facing charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for endangering public safety.
Badnagar police have registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), citing threats to public peace and safety. Officials confirmed that the vehicle in question – a Tata Magic van – was suspended using a crane and then set off with explosives, sending shrapnel, glass shards, and debris raining down on the crowded square.
Police have identified the detained trio as Shoaib Khan, Zahid Khan, and Tasleem Khan – all residents of Andaman Mohalla in the town.
Shocking visuals from Madhya Pradeshs Badnagar near Ujjain. A Muharram procession stunt has sparked controversy after a Van loaded with fireworks was lifted nearly 40 feet into the air by a crane and detonated mid-air. Two Youths were seen waving red flags bearing the slogan… pic.twitter.com/KNsD2dtWST
— PRATEEK BAJPAI (@prateekbajpai07) June 25, 2026
The ASP added that the authorities are treating the matter with utmost seriousness and are now moving to invoke the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against the accused. The NSA allows for preventive detention of up to one year without the filing of a formal chargesheet, and is typically applied in cases where routine law is seen as insufficient to curb threats to public order.
Further investigations are underway to determine whether more individuals were involved in the planning and execution of the act.
With inputs from PTI
