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Muzaffarnagar police issue notices to 6 people over ‘forced Aadhaar, caste checks’ on Kanwar vendors

Six men, belonging to Chatrapati Shivaji Sena, summoned after video showing shopkeepers being coerced to prove their religion and caste goes viral

3 min readNoidaJul 2, 2025 06:33 AM IST

According to the police, the notices, dated June 28, referenced a viral video showing the group inspecting identity and birth certificates at Pandit Jee ka Dhaba on National Highway-58

Muzaffarnagar police on Tuesday issued notices to six members of Chatrapati Shivaji Sena, a group led by Swami Yashveer Maharaj, for allegedly conducting unauthorised Aadhaar and caste verifications of eatery owners along the Kanwar pilgrimage route, officials said on Tuesday.

Station House Officer (Nai Mandi police station) Dinesh Chandra told The Indian Express that notices were sent to Sumit Bajrangi, Rohit, Vivek, Sumit, Sunny and Rakesh Datiyana, all residents of Muzaffarnagar. “We are identifying more people involved in the campaign. The investigation is on,” he said.

According to the police, the notices, dated June 28, referenced a viral video showing the group inspecting identity and birth certificates at Pandit Jee ka Dhaba on National Highway-58. “It is to notify you that you were checking the Aadhaar card and other birth related documents of people running eateries and hotels along the National Highway-58 without informing the administration. A video of the same has surfaced on social media,” read the notice.

The statement also directed the individuals to submit a written answer for their actions within three days as to why there should not be an action taken against you, read the notice.

On June 28, a video of a man identified as Gopal, a worker at Pandit Jee Ka Dhaba, purportedly went viral on social media in which he alleged that a group of men asked him to get naked to confirm his religion. “They came and checked my Aadhaar card and then removed my pants. They were checking my religion,” Gopal is heard telling in the viral video.

However, when The Indian Express contacted the Muzaffarnagar police, to see if they had received a complaint from Gopal, the police said that he was yet to submit a written complaint.

Sumit Bajrangi, a local Shivaji Sena leader, defended the checks as part of a campaign aimed at ensuring eateries use names matching their owners’ faiths. He said they found Pandit Jee Vaishno Bhojnalaya registered under a Muslim name and demanded consistency.

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“At Pandit Dhaba, the QR code is under a Muslim name, while the hotel has a Hindu name. We have no issue with the owner, but the hotel should reflect his Muslim name. A Hindu name won’t be accepted, and Yashver Jee will protest,” Bajrangi said.

Neetika Jha

Neetika Jha is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in the Noida bureau. She primarily covers crime, health, and environmental issues, as well as human-interest features across Noida, Ghaziabad, and Western Uttar Pradesh. Professional Profile Education: She is an alumna of the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. Core Beat: Her work focuses on the administrative and social challenges of the NCR's satellite cities. She is known for her detailed reporting on civic infrastructure (like the Noida International Airport), environmental violations, and high-profile criminal investigations. Personal Interests: Outside of reporting, she is an avid reader of fiction (citing The Thursday Murder Club and Yellowface as recent favorites) and a gardening enthusiast. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Neetika’s recent reportage has been dominated by winter-related crises in the NCR and significant criminal legalities: 1. Environment & Public Safety "Greater Noida Authority slaps fines on firms for violating GRAP IV norms" (Dec 21, 2025): Reporting on heavy penalties imposed on major developers like NBCC for flouting anti-pollution construction bans. "Fatal pile-up on Yamuna Expressway: Fog, high speed emerge as key safety risks" (Dec 17, 2025): A major report on a 15-vehicle collision caused by dense fog that killed 17 people. "At Chilla, Kalindi, DND, many fined Rs 20,000 for non-compliance to Delhi's BS-VI rule" (Dec 19, 2025): On-the-ground reporting from the borders where Noida police penalize non-compliant vehicles entering the capital. "Driving in Noida amid fog? New speed limits in effect till Feb 15" (Dec 13, 2025): Detailing the seasonal traffic restrictions aimed at preventing highway accidents. 2. Crime & Legal Developments "'Have you ever heard of a murder case being withdrawn?': Court in Akhlaq lynching case" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering a critical courtroom hearing where the court questioned the UP government's petition to withdraw charges against the accused. "After losing money in stock market, bank employee in Ghaziabad withdraws Rs 64 lakh from customers' accounts" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative piece on internal bank fraud and the risks of modern digital embezzlement. "Woman shot dead by partner in Noida: Three days on, accused still on the run" (Dec 2, 2025): Tracking a high-profile domestic violence and murder case in Central Noida. 3. Human Interest & Features "'Had tears in my eyes': Army men walk bride down the aisle 20 years after father died in terror attack" (Dec 2, 2025): A moving story about soldiers from a Punjab Grenadiers unit fulfilling a father's duty for his daughter. "How a Zepto delivery man heard a cry — and saved two kids dumped in Noida drain" (Dec 2025): A viral human-interest story highlighting individual heroism in the city. Signature Style Neetika is recognized for her meticulous follow-up on local tragedies. Whether it is a massive pile-up on the Yamuna Expressway or the ongoing construction of the Jewar (Noida) Airport, she focuses on systemic lapses and the safety of commuters. Her crime reporting often explores the psychological motives behind "crimes of passion" and the rising trend of financial cyber-fraud in the Ghaziabad-Noida belt. ... Read More

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