South Delhi’s Instagram gangs: Court denies bail, calls online criminal glorification a social menace

A Delhi court has denied bail to a group of youths from South Delhi accused of attempting to murder a 19-year-old, calling their acts a bone-chilling display of vulgar machismo and social media glorification of crime. The court said the case reflects a frightening new culture where violence is not hidden but broadcast as a badge of pride.

 

The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge H S Jaggi in connection with an FIR registered at Sangam Vihar Police Station, after CCTV footage and social media clips showed the accused mercilessly stabbing the victim, Faizan, and later uploading videos flaunting blood-stained clothes on Instagram.

 

CCTV shows cold-blooded assault

 

The court, relying on the case diary and the report filed by the Investigating Officer, SI Devender Singh, observed that one of the four alleged accused is a child in conflict with law (CCL), whose identity has been protected.

 

The FIR was lodged on the complaint of Liyaqat Ali, the victim’s grandfather. The incident occurred on August 30, 2025, around 9:30 PM, when Faizan had visited his maternal grandfather’s home for dinner. Moments after leaving the house, his family heard shouts that Faizan had been stabbed by three to four boys in Gully No. 4/F-3, Sangam Vihar.

 

“Soon after Faizan departed his maternal grandfather’s house, they could hear clamouring outside that Faizan has been stabbed by knives by three to four boys,” the court noted.

 

CCTV footage tilts the balance against bail

 

The judge referred to the visual evidence to underline the brutality of the assault and noted, “The CCTV footage of Abhishek along with other accused persons mercilessly stabbing like a cold nail with knives tilts the balance against the exercise of discretionary power in favour of Abhishek.”

 

The court further recorded that the tehrir to the FIR showed blood stains at the crime scene, while the medico-legal case (MLC) of the victim revealed multiple stab wounds all across his body on the right and left side of the chest, and both forearms.

 

“It is clearly visible in the CCTV video footage that Faizan was attacked by three boys. Wielding and use of knife is clearly visible. Abhishek is one of those three attackers,” the court said.

 

Attempt to murder and digital display of brutality

 

Finding that there was prima facie evidence of an attempt to murder, the judge said, “The nature and gravity of the accusation qua Abhishek are serious as that of an attempt to murder and multiple stab wounds all over the body of the victim, Faizan. The CCTV footage is indeed bone-chilling and shows how the three attackers acted in a concerted manner, grabbed Faizan and mercilessly stabbed him.”

 

The court noted that the brutality did not end with the assault. In a shocking revelation, the order recorded that the accused recorded and uploaded a video from Abhishek’s Instagram account, displaying their blood-stained clothes, vulgar machoism, and claims of area dominance.

 

“The matter does not end there,” the Judge noted. “Another disturbing fact is that all the accused persons, young boys recorded and uploaded a video from Abhishek’s Instagram account, overtly displaying the blood-stained clothes, vulgar machismo, and area dominance.”

 

“The danger of the accused absconding or fleeing if released on bail, regardless of being fettered with stringent terms and conditions, will still be high on the risk yardstick. The likelihood of the offence being repeated cannot be ruled out as violence in the alleged offence is galore. The reasonable apprehension of witnesses being influenced cannot be ruled out at all,” the judge added.

 

 

India