Police identified the detained person as advocate Ashutosh Dubey. Acting on intelligence inputs, police reached the spot promptly and prevented the effigy from being set on fire. Senior officials confirmed that the effigy was not burned under any circumstances.

According to police, Dubey arrived at the crossing with a group and an effigy. Officers advised them not to proceed, citing the sensitive nature of the act. During the exchange, Dubey allegedly attempted to leave the spot with the effigy while slogans were raised, leading to a tense situation. Police intervened and detained him to avert escalation.

On Saturday, police registered a case against the advocate for disturbing public order. Officials said the action was preventive in nature and aimed at maintaining law and order in the city.

The incident triggered protests by members of the Bhim Army, the Azad Samaj Party, and several OBC organisations, who gathered near the site and later surrounded the Superintendent of Police’s office. Protesters raised slogans and demanded strict action against the accused, including invocation of the National Security Act. Heavy police deployment was maintained in the area to prevent clashes.

Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad, in a post on social media platform X, termed the alleged act an attack on democratic values and social justice. He issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Gwalior administration, warning of a public movement on January 1 if stringent action was not taken.

Dubey, however, denied attempting to burn an effigy of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, claiming it was meant to protest an unrelated incident and that police had been informed in advance.

SSP Dharamveer Singh said police acted swiftly due to the sensitivity of the issue and reiterated that timely intervention prevented any breach of peace.