NAVI MUMBAI: Four young men were detained by police on Monday evening after they staged a disturbing stunt for a social media reel, creating panic among passersby. The video showed one of them lying inside the boot of a moving MUV with his hand hanging out, leading onlookers to believe that someone was either being kidnapped or that a dead body was inside the vehicle.
According to ACP (Crime) Ajay Landge, the incident occurred around 6:30 pm on the stretch between Vashi and Sanpada railway stations. A motorist captured footage of the suspicious scene and shared it on social media, which quickly caught the attention of the authorities.
Police, who routinely monitor content posted by influencers, launched a search for the vehicle. Within two hours, they tracked the MUV to a parking spot outside Haware Fantasia Mall near Sanpada station, where the four youths were taken into custody.
The individuals were identified as Minhaj Shaikh (25), Shahawar Shaikh (24), and Inzamam Shaikh (25) — all residents of Koparkhairane — and Mohammad Shaikh (30) from Mira Road.
During questioning, the youths claimed they had borrowed the MUV from a friend in Sakinaka, Mumbai, to attend a wedding in Navi Mumbai. They then decided to shoot a promotional reel for a laptop rental and repair store owned by one of them in Haware Fantasia Mall.
According to ACP Landge, “In the video, Minhaj Shaikh drives the MUV while his cousin lies in the boot with his hand visibly hanging out to mimic a dead body. Two others followed on a bike, filming the act. Toward the end of the video, the person in the boot pops out and says, ‘I’m still alive,’ before plugging the laptop store.”
Police have booked the MUV driver under the Motor Vehicles Act for rash and negligent driving. All four were let off with a stern warning and will be required to pay the applicable penalty.
Authorities have urged young people to refrain from making such alarming content for social media. “Stunts that incite fear or disrupt public peace won’t be tolerated. We appeal to youth to stay away from such digital addiction and use social media responsibly,” ACP Landge added.
