A social media reel meant to grab attention ended up grabbing handcuffs for a 23-year-old man in Varanasi. The youth posted a video of himself on Instagram appearing to carry a pistol-like object tucked into his waistband while on the busy road near the famous Dashashwamedh Ghat. Once the clip went viral, police acted swiftly, arrested him, and confiscated the weapon, which turned out to be a toy gun.
Who Is the Accused?
The arrested individual has been identified as Ravi Shankar Mishra, aged 23. Originally a resident of Bheemchandi under the Rajatalab police station area, he had more recently been staying at the Dattatreya Math in Agastkunda, within the Dashashwamedh locality of Varanasi. The Instagram video he posted showed him visibly holding or carrying what appeared to be a country pistol or firearm at his waist.
How the Viral Clip Sparked an Immediate Police Response
The footage was captured on the heavily trafficked road leading to Dashashwamedh Ghat. As soon as it began spreading across social media, it triggered serious concern within the police department. Officers at the Dashashwamedh police station analysed the video carefully and moved without delay to locate and detain the accused. Examination confirmed the weapon was not real but a toy gun, which was seized on the spot.
A Strange Explanation: Monkeys
When interrogated, Ravi Shankar Mishra put forward a rather unusual defence. He maintained that the fake pistol was not for show but served the practical purpose of scaring away monkeys. Police dismissed this claim entirely. Their assessment is that the accused's actual intent was to project a fearsome, intimidating image on social media and to stir up sensation by displaying what looked like a firearm in a public, high-footfall area.
Legal Charges Filed and a Warning to the Public
The Dashashwamedh police have initiated the required legal proceedings against Ravi Shankar Mishra under the relevant sections of law. Alongside this, Varanasi Police issued a firm public advisory directed especially at young people. Displaying real or fake weapons in social media reels or videos, for the purpose of gaining views or projecting an intimidating image, is a punishable criminal act, police stated clearly. Such behaviour fosters an atmosphere of fear and insecurity in society. Anyone who shares threatening or misleading content of this kind in the future will face strict and decisive legal action, the police warned.
