Lucknow: Men Dressed As Kanwariyas ‘Attack’ School Van After Minor Collision, Probe On As Videos Go Viral

Six men dressed as kanwariyas, riding three motorcycles, allegedly attacked a school van carrying young children after a minor collision in Lucknow on Monday morning, leaving the students terrified. The van was on its way to drop children at school when the incident took place at Charak Crossing in the Chowk area. Police said that after the minor collision, the men allegedly struck the rear windshield and side mirror of the van with their hands, damaging both, before fleeing the spot.

How The Collision Happened

According to Station House Officer, Chowk police station, Nagesh Upadhyay, a preliminary inquiry found that the school van had a minor collision with one of the three motorcycles. Upadhyay said the van driver had applied the brakes because of the rain, following which one of the motorcycles rammed into the rear of the vehicle. Kanwar Yatra 2026: Delhi-Haridwar Highway To Close for Vehicles From August 4 to 12.

Men Dressed As Kanwariyas Allegedly Attack School Van After Minor Collision In Lucknow

उत्तर प्रदेश : लखनऊ में कांवड़िया ड्रेस में आए कुछ लड़कों ने एक स्कूली वैन पर पथराव कर दिया। वैन के शीशे टूट गए। उसमें कुछ बच्चे सवार थे, जो दहशत में आ गए। पत्थरबाजी करके आरोपी फरार हो गए। pic.twitter.com/TdwpbUo34X

— Sachin Gupta (@Sachingupta) August 3, 2026

"We are also Hindus. It doesn't mean we will harass others"

Locals protest the attack on school van allegedly by Kanwariyas in Lucknow, UP https://t.co/CkjKqofxdc pic.twitter.com/GWBLVGI4a4

— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) August 3, 2026

थाना चौक क्षेत्रान्तर्गत स्कूली वैन में तोड़फोड़ करने की घटना के सम्बन्ध में @DCPWEST1 द्वारा दी गयी बाईट।@Uppolice pic.twitter.com/wwOjpjuoBO

— LUCKNOW POLICE (@lkopolice) August 3, 2026

The collision triggered a heated exchange between the van driver and the riders. During the argument, some of the men allegedly struck the van with force, damaging its side mirror and rear-view mirror. Upadhyay said minor students were inside the van at the time of the incident, but none of them suffered any injuries. Kanwar Yatra 2026: Delhi Traffic Police Issues Advisory, Check Routes and Congestion Points.

Police Deny Stone-Pelting Reports

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shubham Kumar said police have identified the registration numbers of the three motorcycles through CCTV footage and videos of the incident, and that a case will be registered with legal action taken against those found responsible.

Kumar, however, denied reports that the men pelted stones at the vehicle. He further said the youths were believed to be kanwariyas based on their attire and the fact that they were carrying holy water containers typically used during the Kanwar Yatra.

Officers Rushed To Spot As Riders Fled

Police said officers stationed a short distance from the crossing rushed to the spot after noticing the commotion, but the riders had fled by then. Before leaving, they allegedly threatened the van driver.

Police said they received information about the incident on Monday morning, following which a team was immediately dispatched to the spot.

Viral Video Shows Woman's Claim

A purported video widely shared on social media shows a woman who claimed she witnessed the incident. In the video, she alleged that a group deliberately attacked the vehicle and used abusive language before fleeing.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 03, 2026 03:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).