NOIDA: Six persons, including a Delhi Police head constable, were arrested after a violent clash erupted at a cafe in Shalimar Garden late on Monday night.
The brawl, which allegedly started over playing caste-related songs, resulted in damage to property, including an SUV, and a shot being fired into the air, police said.
The accused are Sonu Kumar (27), a Delhi Police head constable posted at Shastri Park, Surendra Baisla (45), Anil Kumar (31), Hemant Bhati (23), Akash Bhati (26) and Anand Singh (28).
Akash, a mechanical engineer, is the son of a former councillor, while Anil works as a gym coach.
Police have registered a case under BNS sections 191(2) (rioting), 191(3) (rioting armed with deadly weapons), 190 (unlawful assembly), and 324(5) (mischief causing damage).
“Efforts are ongoing to identify other absconding persons through CCTV footage,” DCP (Trans-Hindon) Nimish Patil told TOI.
“Around 10.30 pm on Monday, police received information about a violent brawl between two groups at Crystal Cafe near Chhatrapati Shivaji Chowk,” he said.
According to police, Sonu was celebrating the birthday of his friend Anil at the cafe, along with Surendra, his nephew.
During the party, Sonu played a song referring to the Gurjar caste, which was opposed by Anand, who was at the cafe with Akash.
Anand played a counter song referring to the Thakur caste, triggering an argument that quickly escalated.
“Insults were exchanged, and soon the groups began damaging chairs and glass inside the cafe. They then moved the fight to the street, where sticks were used, and Surendra’s car was vandalised,” said a cop.
A video of the incident, showing stick-wielding men clashing on the street, reached DCP Patil, prompting immediate police action.
“The video revealed the chaos. Despite the violence lasting 15 minutes, patrolling officers were unaware of the incident,” Patil said.
Police also recovered the weapon used to fire a shot in the air and are now searching for the cafe owner, Pankaj, who allegedly supported Sonu during the clash.
Officials said the cafe was running illegally.
“Crystal Cafe was shut down six months ago for operating without govt permissions. It reopened just a week ago and a fresh ban has now been imposed,” Patil added.
This is not the first time Crystal Cafe has been under scrutiny. Police had received multiple complaints about disorderly conduct in the past.
Anand, one of the accused, has a history of assault cases and was involved in a violent clash six months ago over a parking dispute near the UP-Delhi border.
