Delhi Police has arrested content creator Amir Shokeen, who was accused of making racially derogatory remarks against a teenager from Tripura in a viral video. The Sadar Bazaar police team arrested Shokeen from Karol Bagh, where he was allegedly hiding at a relative's house.
Shokeen had been absconding and was changing locations, according to the information provided by the police. His location was traced to Shahdara earlier in the day, but the Sadar Bazaar police team eventually tracked him down in Karol Bagh with the help of technical surveillance.
The arrest comes amid widespread outrage over the viral video, which triggered demands for action against Shokeen from political leaders and organisations in the Northeast.
"The content creator, identified as Amir Shokeen, is a bad character of Sadar Bazar area and has previously been involved in multiple cases of brawling," Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Niharika Bhatt told PTI.
The Delhi Police's Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations unit is investigating the video. The Special Police Unit for North Eastern Region had earlier asked the unit to investigate it, police said.
Police personnel had earlier visited Shokeen's residence, but he was not present there, a senior police officer said.
In a post on X, Rijiju said the content creator would face action and that the Delhi and Tripura police would teach him a "hard lesson".
"This evil man will be punished. There was a delay in lodging the official complaint, but Delhi Police and Tripura Police will teach him a hard lesson," the minister said.
In a complaint dated October 21 and addressed to the joint commissioner of police of the Special Police Unit for North Eastern Region, the Tripura Students Forum Delhi sought an urgent and impartial investigation into the video. It alleged that the footage showed a person from Tripura being subjected to sexual assault, harassment and humiliating treatment by a social media content creator.
The complaint identified Amir Shokeen's Instagram account as allegedly being linked to the incident. It sought verification of the identity and role of the person operating the account, as well as others who may have participated in or recorded the alleged incident.
The forum also alleged that the video contained racially derogatory expressions directed at the person and a demeaning reference to Tripura. It said the video had caused anguish among members of the state's community.
The forum urged the police to preserve electronic evidence, including the original recording, metadata, account details and upload history. It also sought measures to prevent further harassment or intimidation of the person concerned and requested the registration of an FIR if warranted by the facts and applicable legal provisions.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has directed the state's director general of police to coordinate with the Delhi Police. The case centres on allegations of racial abuse, humiliation, harassment and sexual assault in the purported video, which is being investigated by the Delhi Police.
AMIR SHOKEEN ISSUED APOLOGY AFTER BACKLASH
As the video drew widespread criticism, Shokeen issued an apology in a video posted on Facebook. He claimed that the video was scripted and intended as humour, adding that the teenager featured in it was known to him and had previously worked at a friend's cafe in Ahmedabad.
Shokeen maintained that the exchange was intended as a joke and that he had no intention of insulting anyone.
"I had no intention of saying anything bad about anyone. If anyone felt bad, I apologise from the bottom of my heart. I respect everyone," he said.
He also apologised specifically to the people of Tripura, saying he had not intended to offend them.
"My brothers from Tripura, I apologise to all of you with folded hands. Brotherhood is top priority. I am sorry," he added.
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