A young couple in Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh sustained serious injuries after jumping from the second floor of a pizza outlet while trying to flee an alleged confrontation with a group that had accosted them inside the eatery, police said. The incident unfolded on Saturday evening near Bareilly Morh under the jurisdiction of Kant police station, leaving both victims hospitalised and prompting the registration of a criminal case against several men accused of involvement. Police sources said the couple, aged 21 and 19, were at the pizza outlet when seven to eight men, described by the complainant as members of a Hindutva organisation, entered the premises and began questioning them. The group allegedly demanded to see their identity documents and started recording videos on mobile phones, according to the complaint filed by the male victim, identified as Vishal, who hails from Puwayan.
Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi said officers received information shortly after the episode and reached the scene to take stock of the situation. Vishal alleged in his statement that the men misbehaved with the couple and their aggressive behaviour, including filming them, caused panic. Fearing for their safety, the woman is said to have pulled open a window bar and jumped from the second-floor window of the building. Vishal followed her in an attempt to prevent further harm. Both suffered multiple injuries and are receiving medical treatment at a private hospital.
Police have lodged a First Information Report against eight men, naming three individuals — Pravesh, Sonu and Harshit — and listing five others as unidentified. They face charges under relevant sections of law, including rioting and intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace. Investigators are working to identify the remaining accused and are gathering witness statements and other evidence to clarify the sequence of events that led to the dramatic escape.
The case has drawn attention to ongoing concerns about moral policing and public safety in Uttar Pradesh. Incidents involving self-appointed vigilante groups confronting couples in public spaces have been a flashpoint in recent years, prompting debate over societal norms and personal freedoms. Some activist groups have a documented history of engaging in actions they characterise as moral or cultural policing, which critics argue can verge into harassment or intimidation of individuals for their personal choices.
Local law enforcement has also taken steps in the wake of this incident to enhance safety measures at eateries and other public venues. Police have instructed operators of pizza outlets across the city to remove enclosed cabins, avoid the use of curtains that limit visibility and ensure the installation of transparent glass panels. These measures are intended to improve oversight and deter situations where patrons might feel trapped or at risk.
While the police investigation continues, one person has been detained for questioning in connection with the case. Authorities said they are reviewing available footage and interviewing staff and patrons who were present at the outlet at the time to corroborate accounts from the complainants and other witnesses.