Crime for cult, clout: Videos of grim attacks & dangerous stunts go viral

Bhopal: From knife attacks shots posted with Bollywood music to teenagers posing with weapons and performing dangerous bike stunts, a worrying social media trend in city is keeping cops on their toes. In an increasing number of cases, the accused themselves, or their associates, are uploading incriminating videos online, seeking notoriety and street credibility. The accused in such videos boasted that they were roaming free despite police searching for them.Officials say the phenomenon reflects a dangerous mix of bravado and digital exhibitionism. While hardened criminals circulate such clips to instil fear and assert territorial dominance, many youngsters are posting similar content to cultivate a so-called "bhai" image among peers. Over the past few weeks, multiple clips surfaced showing individuals assaulting victims, engaging in reckless driving, or performing risky stunts in blatant violation of Motor Vehicles rules. Apart from glorifying crime, these acts pose serious threats to public safety. Bhopal police commissioner Sanjay Kumar said that the social media monitoring cell of Bhopal police monitors social media platforms round the clock. Police share details with social media platforms and ask them to remove such videos. Police take cognisance of such videos and take appropriate action against such elements. These videos act as evidence against such criminals during the investigation of the case. Often FIRs are registered against such elements with help of such videos. "Wherever an offence is made out, FIRs are registered and action is initiated," a senior police officer said. In several instances, vehicles were seized and accused were identified solely on the basis of footage circulated online. A senior officer, requesting anonymity, said hardcore criminals often record and share videos of assaults or stunts with weapons to intimidate rivals and project dominance. "These videos are meant to boast territorial supremacy and create an aura of fear," he said, adding that some clips raised questions about law and order in certain pockets.Many of the accused in such videos were found brandishing toy guns or replicas to build a ‘Bahubali' persona, while others were in possession of illegal weapons and faced stringent legal action.In a recent case, a video went viral showing two 16-year-old boys storming into a pool club in Teela Jamalpura and attacking another minor with a large knife more than 2 dozen times within 30 seconds. The clip, uploaded on Instagram by a friend of the accused with a Bollywood song in the background, triggered swift police action.In another case, a 17-year-old habitual offender from Gautam Nagar was seen in a viral clip slapping a man. A separate video showed him posing in front of a local police station lock-up, again with a Bollywood soundtrack. Police said the minor, who turns 18 in May, has multiple cases registered against him and is currently lodged in a shelter home in Indore. "They try to create the impression that police are actively searching for them, reinforcing their image as hardened criminals," said a senior officer at Gautam Nagar police station. These criminals share such videos to create psychological pressure on local residents so that they may not file police complaints against them and may even pay them extortion whenever they demand, cops added.Police say they closely track the social media handles of habitual and hardcore offenders. "Whenever such individuals are apprehended, we record details of their mobile numbers and social media accounts. Their online activity is constantly monitored," a senior officer posted in the Crime Branch said.As crime increasingly intersects with digital platforms, senior cops admit the challenge is no longer confined to the streets; it now plays out in reels, stories, and status updates, where crime is performed not just for control, but for clicks and more views and eyeballs.