Four Booked After Crane-Hoisted Van Explodes During Muharram Procession in Ujjain

UJJAIN: A video of a van being hoisted 40 feet into the air by a crane and blown up using firecrackers during a Muharram procession in Barnagar, Ujjain district, prompted police to launch an investigation and book four youths for endangering public safety and other charges. The stunt, performed before a crowd of thousands apparently on the night of Tuesday, went viral on social media platforms on Thursday. The incident took place in Adan Mohalla, where organisers suspended the van, marked with the words ‘Le Phir Aa Gaye’, from a crane. Two young men stood on the vehicle waving flags as it hung in the air, before an explosion was set off inside, blowing it apart. No one was injured. Police registered a case on the complaint of station house officer Kamlesh Singar. The four accused, Shoaib son of Gabbu Khan, Javed Khan, Tafzeel Khan, and crane owner Gopal Mali, have been booked under BNS sections covering intent to cause public harm, unauthorised use of permission, creating dangerous conditions, and endangering public safety, among other charges. Local residents and community groups voiced concern over the risk to the crowd, noting that a snapped crane wire or blast debris falling on the gathering could have caused serious casualties.