Chennai: If you think viral videos on social media like gravity defying stunts by youngsters and issuing threats might not be taken seriously, think again.
In fact, police take an audio message or a video footage as evidence to file a case. Lately, they have started a crackdown on such incidents.
“A crime is equally serious whether it is committed in the real world or in the virtual world,” says a police officer.
Yesterday, the Cyber Crime wing of the city police has issued a statement seeking the help of the public to know details about two youngsters who appeared in a footage threatening those who are opposed to actor Vijays movie ‘Sarkar.’ The two who were wielding sickles are said to be Vijay fans.
A police source said, these men can be booked for criminal intimidation (506-part 2 and 507). What shocked everyone was how the duo waved and pointed the sickles at the camera. It was a reminder of a video which went viral last year that had college students travelling on trains with sickles.
Few days ago, a video of an MTC commuter’s footboard travelling by placing one feet on the wheel of the bus went viral. The commuter was identified as Mersal Bala. He was seen doing the stunt when the bus was passing through Pallavan Salai. He uploaded the video on his Facebook profile and grabbed the attention of police who filed a case.
In September, notorious gangster S Nagaraj alias ‘Bullet’ Nagaraj issued life threats over a WhatsApp voice recording to authorities of Madurai Central prison including its Superintendent Urmila. He was arrested later.
It is not just life threats, even violations like two-wheeler racing or other stunts in public view are taken as offences by the cyber wing, officials say.