Delhi Police crack down on ‘social media gangsters’, arrest 35
The appeal of social media continues to rise, particularly as algorithm-driven apps reward users with viral fame based on their follower counts. However, these platforms have also turned into a showcase for young people flaunting weapons such as guns, dragon knives and axes, all in an effort to cultivate a ‘gangster’ image.
In response, the Delhi Police have launched a special operation targeting individuals who use social media to gain notoriety by posting violent content. The South District police have arrested 35 people, including juveniles, who posted photos and videos featuring weapons and violence, boasting of their power. The police also seized 40 weapons during the drive.
This special operation, conducted under the guidance of Additional DCP Achin Garg and initiated by DCP Ankit Chauhan, was launched in response to a series of stabbing and shooting incidents in the area. “Following these incidents, videos of the crimes were often posted on social media, with individuals glorifying the acts, usually accompanied by music to enhance the effect,” said DCP Chauhan.
The police analysed over 2,000 Instagram accounts, narrowing them down to identify specific individuals. These individuals were tracked through manual surveillance and subsequently arrested under the Arms Act of 1959. “These individuals, mostly in their 20s or juveniles, are drawn to the fame that notorious gangsters receive through social media reels,” said a senior officer.
The accounts, mostly public, showcased posts of individuals brandishing weapons or posing during court appearances, in custody, or even inside jail, which became some of the most popular content.
“They use these videos to establish dominance in their area and create fear among rivals. However, these accounts are not linked to any major gangs in the Delhi-NCR region, but are more often connected to micro-groups operating in their localities,” the officer added.
This phenomenon is also linked to the influence of ‘gangsta rap’, a sub-genre of hip-hop that rose to prominence in the US during the 1980s. These tracks frequently feature lyrics about guns, violence and hyper-masculinity, themes that resonate with certain segments of the Indian youth.
“We’ve noticed that after posting such videos with gangster music, their follower count often skyrockets. Some accounts have followers exceeding 50,000, with one even reaching 85,000,” the officer explained.
However, many of these individuals are aware of legal loopholes. For instance, while the Arms Act classifies certain weapons like button knives (Rampuri) as illegal, dragon knives, which are seen as more ‘stylish’, are not covered under the law and are easily available online and in markets, the officer added.
Recently, the police arrested a man who boasted about his first murder of the year on Instagram. In another instance, an individual involved in four separate Arms Act cases, who used to supply illegal firearms, was arrested by the Special Staff of South district. The police recovered six single-shot country-made pistols and one illegal semi-automatic firearm with eight live cartridges. The Delhi Police would continue to crack down on such activities to curb the rise of ‘social media gangsters’.
40 weapons seized
- The police also seized 40 weapons during the drive
- The police analysed over 2,000 Instagram accounts, narrowing them down to identify specific individuals
- The accounts, mostly public, showcased posts of individuals brandishing weapons or posing during court appearances, in custody, or even inside jail, which became some of the most popular content
