MUMBAI: A school dropout from Vile Parle (west) was arrested on Saturday for posting a video in which he is seen sitting on the railway track and, using video effects, is shown being hit by a train. The ‘accident’ is a creative stunt.
The accused, Irfan Khan (20), shot the video to increase his followers on his social media account, railway police officials said, adding that it had been done to influence people, showing how to end one’s life if one is jilted by one’s lover. Khan, who is an influencer and event planner, created the video in which he performed the act of promoting suicide.
"Suicides are one of the biggest public health problems in India, with over 300 Indians dying by suicide every day. Youth make up for the majority of deaths by suicides. The need of the hour is sensitive anti-suicide messages and not content that could incite emotionally vulnerable youth to take their own lives. Perpetrators of the latter should be punished to prevent any such recurrence.-TimesView"
The railway police arrested Khan late on Saturday. He he will be produced in Bandra holiday court on Sunday.
His home was located within hours after the video went viral on social media on Saturday in no time. “After the video was posted on the railway police’s Twitter page, a team found out the accused’s home in Bandra. The team reached his house but he was not present. The action was initiated so that no one provokes anyone with such a dangerous act,” Mumbai railway police commissioner Quaiser Khalid told TOI.
The video was shot between Bandra and Khar railway stations. “He was found seated on the railway track and performed the act of a ‘depressed’ lover and video effects was seen in which he is shown as ending his life under a speeding train. He has been booked under the Indian Penal Code section336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 505 (1) (publishes or circulates any statement with intent to incite) and under the Indian Railways Act sections 145 (nuisance) and 147 (trespass),” said DCP Pradeep Chavan.
Assistant inspector Devidas Aranye said Khan has claimed that he created the video to increase followers.
