Ujjain, June 25 (IANS) Just a day ahead of Muharram, police in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain district have booked four persons after a viral video showed a vehicle being suspended from a crane and blown apart during a religious procession in Badnagar town.

According to police, the incident occurred on the night of June 23 during a Muharram procession organised ahead of Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram that commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala and is observed by Shia Muslims with mourning processions and religious gatherings.

According to police, a Tata Magic vehicle was lifted nearly 40 feet above the ground with the help of a crane while two youths stood on it waving red flags. Shortly afterwards, the vehicle burst open in what appeared to be an explosion, drawing the attention of spectators.

Videos of the incident later went viral on social media.

Ujjain Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Karandeep Singh, talking to the reporters on Thursday, said that an FIR has been registered against procession organiser Shoaib Khan, Talim Khan and Zahid Khan, who were seen standing on the suspended vehicle, and crane owner Gopal Mali.

“The procession had the required permission from the administration. However, no permission was granted for any activity involving explosives or the destruction of a vehicle. Such acts are unlawful and endanger public safety,” Singh said.

Police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and initiated legal action against the accused.

Explaining the incident, Singh said preliminary investigation suggests that conventional explosives were not used. Instead, multiple festival-style rockets were allegedly ignited simultaneously.

With the vehicle’s windows closed, pressure built up inside and caused the glass and body panels to burst outward, creating an explosion-like effect.

Police believe the act may have been intended as a crowd-pulling stunt.

Investigators are also examining whether organisers violated safety norms and conditions attached to the procession permit.

Authorities have appealed to the public not to circulate unverified claims about the incident while the investigation is underway.

–IANS

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