YouTuber Gulzar Sheikh arrested for vandalising train tracks to garner social media fame
Lalgopalganj (UP): In a time when some content creators have no qualms about going to extreme lengths to garner views on social media, unsettling videos have emerged of a YouTuber placing random objects on railway tracks. These videos have gained significant attention, especially following recent tragic train accidents.
YouTuber Gulzar Sheikh was arrested for allegedly placing various items, such as bicycles, soaps, and stones, on railway tracks to create content.
LHD के एक्शन का धमाकेदार रिएक्शन 🔥🔥🚩🚩
— Legal Hindu Defence (@legalhindudef) August 1, 2024
रेल जिहादी गुलज़ार शेख की हुई गिरफ़्तारी। अब तुम्हारा “72” का सपना प्रशासन पूरा करेगी 👀🔥🚩
Rail Jihadi Gulzar Sheikh arrested after action taken by Legal Hindu Defence 🚩🚩 https://t.co/xjtZzvby8C pic.twitter.com/gkEnLOxdLD
The arrest followed a complaint filed by the Legal Hindu Defence, with BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla announcing the news on X (formerly known as Twitter).
The controversy began when X user "TrainWaleBhaiya" shared a video showing Sheikh's dangerous activities. The user highlighted the risks to passengers, stating, "This is Mr. Gulzar Sheikh from Lalgopalganj, UP, who puts random things in front of trains for YouTube money, putting the lives of thousands of passengers in danger." This post prompted calls for immediate action from Indian Railways and local authorities.
“Rail Jihadi” Gulzar arrested
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) August 1, 2024
रेल जिहादी गुलज़ार गिरफ़्तार
I assured you that Rail Jihadi won’t be spared by authorities @legalhindudef
Thank you @myogiadityanath @Uppolice @RailMinIndia @AshwiniVaishnaw https://t.co/oMTTc29Up0 pic.twitter.com/AytyZGZBy3
Shehzad Poonawalla confirmed Sheikh's arrest, referring to him as a "Rail Jihadi." The Legal Hindu Defence, a volunteer group recently established by Poonawalla filed the complaint against the YouTuber.
The complaint against Gulzar Sheikh cited violations under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023, noting the risk of public mischief and potential train derailments. Specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, The Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1966, and the IT Act, 2000, were mentioned to underscore the seriousness of the offenses.
Legal Hindu Defence back in action 🚩💪
— Legal Hindu Defence (@legalhindudef) August 1, 2024
पुलिस कंप्लेंट हो चुकी है। सख़्त से सख़्त क़ानूनी कार्यवाही करवाएगा @legalhindudef 💪
Police complaint has been filed in this case. We will make sure that a strict action is taken against Gulzar Sheikh. 💪🚩😤 https://t.co/xjtZzvby8C pic.twitter.com/FTfyqYHF05
The videos have sparked outrage, with accusations that Gulzar was performing these dangerous stunts for views, likes, and financial gain. Following the public outcry, Sheikh was arrested by Uttar Pradesh police on Thursday.
A YouTuber named Gulzar Sheikh puts random things on railway tracks, records it and uploads it on social media.
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) August 1, 2024
It is too dangerous. Hope @Uppolice will nab him asap. pic.twitter.com/zgrARxvHmW
A review of Sheikh's YouTube channel, "Gulzar Indian Hacker," reveals numerous videos and shorts in which he places various objects on railway tracks. Despite occasional disclaimers warning viewers not to imitate these dangerous acts, his content consistently features such risky behavior.
The channel has over 243 videos, including one short that has amassed 99 million views. It has more than 235,000 subscribers and a total view count exceeding 137 million.
The earliest recorded instance of this hazardous behavior dates back to January 2024, when Sheikh placed earbuds on the tracks. Subsequent videos show him placing a 500-gram weight and an axe on the tracks, further demonstrating his disregard for safety.
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