A Vishwa Hindu Parishad activist and his associate were beaten up for allegedly disguising themselves as burqa-clad women and sneaking into a women's quarter at an Imambara in Uttar Pradesh's Umarpur village on Sunday, PTI reported. Police station in-charge Satinder Singh said the devotees were outraged when they allegedly caught a glimpse of Abhishek Yadav and his business partner Atif's male attire under the burqas. The duo were handed over to the police later.

The official said Yadav has been booked for "rioting and creating communal disturbances". His brother, Veersen, has filed a counter-complaint alleging that Yadav and Atif were "waylaid, brutally assaulted" and robbed of their valuables before being handed over to the police.

According to PTI, Veersen said, “Those who attacked Abhishek, nursed a grouse against him because of his association with the VHP and a thriving business of ready-made garments and sports goods.” He also claimed that Yadav was forced to wear a burqa before being assaulted. Photographs of him in the burqa were then circulated on social media platforms, he alleged.

Veersen and Atif are being treated at a local hospital. Authorities are investigating both versions of the event and have deployed security personnel in the village to maintain law an order.