Special Correspondent
Pune: A disturbing trend has emerged in Pune, where youths involved in criminal activities are posting videos of their violent actions on social media, attempting to gain fame by glorifying their crimes. This issue is becoming increasingly problematic, with members of local gangs filming and sharing their brutality in a style reminiscent of Bollywood movies. Recently, members of a gang allegedly kidnapped a youth from Yerwada, tortured him, and posted the video on social media under the name of the RS Company gang, a group known for its criminal activities.
Pune police have been struggling to keep up with this trend, where criminal behaviour is being glorified through viral videos. Though law enforcement is able to tackle crimes on the ground, it is the digital side of things that is proving difficult to control. Even after Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar ordered action against such criminals, it appears that the misuse of social media by gang members continues to spread unchecked. In a recent case, the Crime Branch arrested four individuals for distributing videos and photos that promoted terror and criminal activities.
The most recent incident involved members of the RS Gang, including Vicky Kamble, Tushar Shete, and Shailesh Sasane. The gang members filmed themselves brutally assaulting a man named Ansaf Ashraf and shared the video on Instagram. The victim was humiliated, beaten, and accused of associating with a rival gang. The assault took place at a public spot in Yerwada, and the incident only came to light when the video was uploaded online. This is not an isolated case, as these gangs have been known to post such videos in an attempt to spread fear and assert their power.
The growing trend of “wannabe gangsters” using social media to flaunt their criminal activities is a concerning development. Often dubbed as ‘upcoming Bhais’, these youths are attracting attention through their videos, which feature violent acts and Bollywood-style dialogue. With many of these reels being filmed inside police stations or courtrooms, the content sends a dangerous message to young audiences, making criminality seem glamorous. This issue raises serious concerns about the rise in juvenile delinquency and the effect of social media on impressionable minds.
