Ujjain crane stunt: 4 booked after vehicle bursts during Muharram procession
Synopsis
A Tata Magic vehicle hoisted 40 feet in the air by a crane burst apart during a Muharram procession in Ujjain's Badnagar town — not from conventional explosives, police say, but from festival rockets ignited inside a sealed cabin. Four persons, including the procession organiser and crane owner, have been booked under the BNS for staging what investigators believe was a crowd-pulling stunt without the required permits.
Key Takeaways
Four persons — including procession organiser Shoaib Khan and crane owner Gopal Mali — have been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) .
A Tata Magic vehicle was lifted 40 feet by a crane during a Muharram procession in Badnagar, Ujjain on 23 June .
Preliminary investigation indicates no conventional explosives were used; multiple festival-style rockets allegedly ignited simultaneously caused the burst.
The procession held valid administrative permission , but no clearance was granted for explosive activity or vehicle destruction.
Police are examining whether safety norms and permit conditions were violated; public asked not to spread unverified claims.
Police in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district have booked four persons after a video that went viral on social media showed a vehicle being lifted by a crane and bursting apart during a Muharram procession in Badnagar town on the night of 23 June. The incident, which occurred just a day before Ashura, has prompted authorities to invoke provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the accused.
What Happened in Badnagar
According to police, a Tata Magic vehicle was hoisted nearly 40 feet above the ground using a crane, with two youths standing on top of it waving red flags. Moments later, the vehicle burst open in what witnesses described as an explosion-like effect, drawing a large crowd reaction. Videos of the spectacle circulated widely on social media thereafter.
What the Preliminary Investigation Found
Ujjain Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Karandeep Singh, speaking to reporters on Thursday, said preliminary investigation suggests that conventional explosives were not used in the incident. Instead, investigators believe multiple festival-style rockets were allegedly ignited simultaneously inside the vehicle. With the windows closed, pressure built up and caused the glass and body panels to burst outward, producing an explosion-like effect. 'Police believe the act may have been intended as a crowd-pulling stunt,' Singh indicated.
Who Has Been Booked
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. ASP Singh said: '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.'
Background: The Muharram Procession Context
The procession was organised ahead of Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, which commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala and is observed by Shia Muslims through mourning processions and religious gatherings. Investigators are now examining whether the organisers violated safety norms and conditions attached to the procession permit — a scrutiny that could have implications for how future event permissions are granted in the district.
What Happens Next
Authorities have appealed to the public to refrain from circulating unverified claims about the incident while the investigation remains ongoing. Police are continuing to probe the exact nature of the materials used and whether additional individuals were involved in planning the stunt. The case marks a notable instance of procession safety regulations being tested in Madhya Pradesh, where large religious gatherings require prior administrative clearance.
Point of View
And incidents like this — where spectacle overrides safety — risk inflaming community sentiment even when the original intent was entertainment. The BNS case is necessary, but the harder question is whether permit-issuing authorities will tighten conditions before the next major procession season.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened during the Muharram procession in Ujjain's Badnagar?
During a Muharram procession in Badnagar town on the night of 23 June, a Tata Magic vehicle was hoisted nearly 40 feet above the ground by a crane with two youths on top, and then burst apart in an explosion-like effect. Videos of the incident went viral on social media, prompting police to register an FIR against four persons.
Who has been booked in the Ujjain crane stunt case?
Police have booked procession organiser Shoaib Khan, Talim Khan, Zahid Khan — both seen standing on the suspended vehicle — and crane owner Gopal Mali. Cases have been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Were actual explosives used to burst the vehicle?
According to preliminary investigation by Ujjain police, conventional explosives were not used. Investigators believe multiple festival-style rockets were allegedly ignited simultaneously inside the vehicle; with windows closed, the resulting pressure caused the glass and body panels to burst outward, creating an explosion-like effect.
Did the procession have official permission?
Yes, the procession had the required administrative permission. However, ASP Karandeep Singh clarified that no permission was granted for any activity involving explosives or the destruction of a vehicle, making the stunt unlawful under the terms of the permit.
What is Ashura and why is it significant?
Ashura falls on the 10th day of Muharram and commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala. It is observed primarily by Shia Muslims through mourning processions and religious gatherings, and is one of the most significant dates in the Islamic calendar.
