A late-night confrontation in Noida’s Gaur City 2 has turned into a widespread discussion after a video was circulated showing a woman intervening in an altercation between a man and a Muslim couple. The incident took place on 16 April at the White Orchid market, where the situation escalated quickly in a crowded public space.
It was alleged that the incident began after the couple was questioned about their identity and asked to produce identification documents as they were visibly Muslims. The woman in the couple, who was wearing a hijab, was reportedly singled out, leading to objections from bystanders.
A woman present at the scene, identified as Soumya, moved forward and questioned the man’s actions.
Soumya was seen challenging the basis on which the couple was being questioned and asking whether any authority had been granted for such demands. In the viral video, the man, notably with a can of beer, claimed he was a police officer.
“It was seen that a man was standing there with a beer can and was troubling the couple, asking for their ID because the woman was wearing a hijab. The girl was visibly shaking; she was a young girl of around 20–21 years. I questioned him about who had given him the right to ask for their documents,” Soumya said while speaking to FoEJ Media.
She further added that the couple was being threatened and stopped from leaving the area. It was also said by her that she told the couple to move away from the situation and that they would be handled appropriately.
In the video, Soumya was heard questioning the man’s conduct, asking why identity checks were being carried out based on clothing.
She was heard saying, “Who gave you the right to question them?”
Furthermore, it was pointed out during the exchange that the man appeared to have consumed alcohol, which was mentioned in the video itself.
“He is drinking beer right here. You can see it,” Soumya was heard saying in the viral video.
The man, identified as Mukesh Kumar from Ram Shyam Enclave in Chipiyana Buzurg village, was seen insisting that the couple show their ID cards and not allowing them to leave. He was heard saying that the woman was wearing a burqa, using it to justify his questioning.
Meanwhile, Soumya was seen advising the couple not to comply under pressure and to leave the area. She also said that such behavior creates fear among people in public spaces.
“These are the people because of whom our country is seeing so many lynchings,” she said in the video.
Following a complaint filed by the couple alleging harassment, a case was registered by the police under Sections 170, 126, and 135, and Mukesh Kumar was arrested. Investigation into the matter is underway.
“A dispute arose when the suspect objected to them standing near his car, and it turned into a heated argument. Based on the complaint submitted by the informant Imran, a case was registered at the police station, and Mukesh was arrested and sent to jail,” KG Sharma, Station House Officer (SHO) of Bisrakh Police Station, told ThePrint.
Rape Threats that Followed
After the video went viral, Soumya said she began receiving abusive messages and rape and death threats on social media. She shared screenshots of messages where she was called “anti-Hindu” and accused of acting for attention.
Speaking to FoEJ Media, she said, “People are now sending me rape and death threats for defending a couple who were questioned by a random, drunken man only because of their religion.”
“But I am not scared of them; I know I was right,” she added.
“I am being told that I am a ‘Mulli’, a Muslim, or a convert. I am receiving such disgusting rape threats,” Soumya said.
“People are now dragging my family into these threats,” she added.
