Broken glass scattered on Kanwar Yatra route, endangering barefoot Hindu pilgrims
East Delhi, Delhi, India 
11 July, 2025
Case Summary
In the Dilshad Garden area of Delhi, pieces of broken glass were found over a one-kilometre stretch of the Kanwar Yatra route, sparking concerns about a deliberate attempt to harm Hindu devotees who often walk barefoot. According to reports, the incident occurred on a road section in Zulfe Bengal, a sub-locality of Dilshad Garden. It was immediately brought notice of the Delhi government, which took immediate action by removing the glass shards. The road is used by Kanwariyas, devotees of Lord Shiva, who often walk barefoot during their pilgrimage to Haridwar. An FIR was registered under Sections 125 (endangering human life) and 299 (malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita based on a complaint by a junior engineer from the Public Works Department (PWD). The junior engineer stated that the glass was deliberately scattered to injure devotees and hurt religious sentiments. Initial investigation revealed that the source of the glass was an e-rickshaw that was transporting 19 large glass panels from Delhi’s Seemapuri area. As of the date of writing this report, the driver of the e-rickshaw, Kusum Pal (43), has been detained for questioning. As of the date of writing this report, the investigation was ongoing. However, BJP leaders raised suspicions about intent, noting that similar incidents have occurred on consecutive days. Shahdara MLA Sanjay Goyal reported that glass had been found and cleared from the same route a day prior, and that the spread over such a long stretch indicated a planned act rather than an accidental mistake.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
In this case, the pieces of broken glass were found scattered along a one-kilometre stretch of the Kanwar Yatra route in Dilshad Garden, Delhi. While the presence of broken glass scattered along a one-kilometre stretch of the Kanwar Yatra route does raise serious concerns, especially given that Kanwariyas walk barefoot and there have been several documented hate attacks against them, there is, as of now, no conclusive evidence establishing religious or malicious intent. The ongoing investigation has pointed to an e-rickshaw carrying glass panels as the potential source, and the detained individual has not been proven to have acted with intent to target Hindu devotees. Though suspicion remains due to the nature and location of the incident, the absence of a confirmed motive or pattern means it must, at this stage, be placed in the Undecided Database pending further findings. If further information emerges proving that the act was motivated by anti-Hindu animosity, it will be included in the hate crime database.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
