A shocking incident of violence and intimidation unfolded at the Swami Krishnanand Udaasin Ashram located in Sat Nagar, Karol Bagh, in the national capital. Nisha Poddar, a lawyer practicing at the Guwahati High Court, has accused a group of individuals of forcibly entering the premises, assaulting her, hurling casteist slurs, and attempting to drag her onto the street. The intense standoff continued throughout the day on September 25, creating a volatile situation on the ground. The petitioner alleged that she was specifically targeted and subjected to derogatory remarks because of her origins in Assam and the Northeast. The episode has raised serious concerns regarding safety and the rule of law as a visiting legal professional faced brazen physical hostility.
The Initial Confrontation Over Property Access
According to the formal complaint filed on September 25, the trouble began at around 11 AM when Manish Kumar, also known as Manish Raj, arrived at the ashram along with several associates. When the resident caretakers, Uday Prakash and Neeraj Kumar, attempted to block their unauthorized entry, they were physically accosted and subjected to caste-based abuses. Local police arrived at the scene shortly after receiving information about the commotion and escorted a few individuals to the police station for questioning. Authorities subsequently returned the ashram keys to the caretakers and instructed Manish Raj not to return to the property. However, this temporary resolution failed to deter further escalation later in the day.
Renewed Chaos and Physical Assault in the Evening
The situation took a violent turn at around 4 PM when the same group returned to the ashram premises. The lawyer claimed that when she protested their unlawful presence, the situation quickly deteriorated into physical violence. The opposing party allegedly manhandled her, grabbed her by the hair, and attempted to drag her toward the nearby road. She was reportedly issued death threats and warned that her legal practice license would be canceled through fabricated charges. Echoing anti-Northeast sentiments, the lawyer stated that the perpetrators shouted that northeast people are not allowed here, introducing a disturbing element of regional discrimination into the property dispute.
Allegations of Property Destruction and Theft
Beyond the physical assault, the complaint details extensive property damage and theft inside the ashram. The perpetrators allegedly confiscated the mobile phones belonging to the two resident caretakers. Furthermore, the lawyer's personal mobile phone and laptop were smashed and rendered unusable. A bag containing crucial legal documents was also reported stolen during the melee. The complainant asserted that an elderly woman and several other individuals present inside the ashram were targeted and beaten up during the chaos. The coordinated intrusion and subsequent rampage left the residents shaken and resulted in extensive material damage.
Police Investigation and Cross FIRs Filed
Addressing the developments, a senior Delhi Police official stated that the altercation stems from a protracted legal property dispute situated within the Prasad Nagar area jurisdiction. According to investigators, the woman lawyer was representing an individual named Dollar Baba in the ongoing property matter. Police confirmed that a primary First Information Report is being registered under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita based on the woman lawyer's allegations. Simultaneously, the opposing faction involved in the property dispute lodged a counter-complaint of assault, prompting authorities to register a separate FIR against the first faction as well. Law enforcement officials are currently examining evidence and statements from all involved parties to determine the sequence of events and establish accountability.
