Dark Side of Fame: As glamorous as the world of social media appears, the reality is becoming increasingly terrifying. Recently, renowned motorblogger Anurag Doval ...read more

While the showmanship of social media influencers can make their lives seem glamorous and glamorous, the reality is quite the opposite. The popularity that comes with millions of followers, viral videos, and brand endorsements can sometimes even put one's life at risk

Recently, Ghaziabad-based YouTuber Salim Wastik was attacked, and Indian motoblogger Anurag Doval attempted suicide. The past few months have seen numerous similar incidents, including fatal attacks, threats, murders, and controversies against YouTubers and social media influencers.

Let us tell you about six such cases of recent times, which have shocked the social media...

Case No. 1: Anurag Doval went live and crashed a high-speed car into a divider.

Dehradun's famous motorblogger Anurag Dobhal attempted suicide by going live on Instagram on March 7. While driving on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, he went live on Instagram and mentioned his mother and said, "Next time I come, just give me love." He also slapped himself several times. After this, becoming emotional, he said, "Let's go for the final drive." Then he drove his car at a speed of 150 and drove it over the divider. During this, 80 thousand people were watching him live.

Instagram Live went off after the collision. People at the scene pulled him out of the car and informed the police. The injured Anurag was admitted to Meerut's Subharti Hospital. Anurag Doval is known as UK07 Rider and has also been a contestant on Bigg Boss 17. Anurag is experiencing mental stress due to a family dispute.

Case No. 2: YouTuber Rahul Maharana dies in Bhubaneswar

Rahul Maharana, a 32-year-old YouTuber from Bhubaneswar, was stabbed to death on March 1, 2026. According to police, the incident began with a minor dispute at a playground. One of Maharana's friends was talking loudly on the phone, disturbing three people sitting nearby.

When one of them asked to lower the volume, an argument broke out between the two sides. The fight quickly escalated into a physical altercation, and in a fit of rage, one of the three attacked Maharana with a knife. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, but doctors declared him dead. Based on CCTV footage, all three accused were arrested within three hours. Rahul Maharana had been married only three years earlier.

Case No. 3: Punjabi YouTuber Nancy Grewal murdered in Canada

Punjabi YouTuber Nancy Grewal was stabbed to death in Canada on the night of March 3rd. According to Canadian police, Nancy lived in the Windsor area of ​​Canada. Nancy was born in Sirsa, Haryana, but her family later moved to Ludhiana. Nancy, 45, was a nurse in Canada and was a frequent source of attention for her YouTube videos.

Nancy openly commented on India-Canada relations, Khalistani extremism, and a number of religious-political issues on her YouTube channel. In recent times, she had posted videos criticizing some influential religious and political figures.

Case No. 4: YouTuber Raveena kills husband with the help of her lover

28-year-old YouTuber Raveena Rao, a resident of Bhiwani, Haryana, conspired with her lover Suresh to murder her husband Praveen Rao and dump his body in a drain. According to police, Raveena had been in a relationship with Suresh for the past year and a half. They also created content for social media. Raveena often argued with her husband Praveen about their relationship. The couple also has a six-year-old son.

It is alleged that on March 25th, Praveen saw Raveena and Suresh in a compromising position, which led to a fight. Suresh and Raveena then strangled Praveen to death with a scarf. When everyone was asleep that night, they took Praveen on a bike and dumped his body in a drain near Dinod Road. The next morning, when the family was looking for Praveen, Raveena said he had gone out for a few days.  

CCTV footage shows Suresh riding the bike, with Raveena sitting behind him, with Praveen's body lying between them. After the body was recovered from the drain, police arrested Suresh and Raveena.

Case No. 5: YouTuber Salim Wastawak attacked with a knife

YouTuber and businessman Saleem Wastik was attacked multiple times with a knife on February 27th after he entered his office in Loni. He suffered serious injuries to his stomach and neck. Bystanders alerted the police, and Saleem was hospitalized.

A video of the incident surfaced, showing two attackers in dirty clothes and helmets fleeing on a motorcycle. Based on this video, the attackers were identified and later killed in a shootout. Salim Wastik frequently made videos on social media about religious practices and issues related to Islam.

Case No. 6: Elvish Yadav receives threats, firing at his home

Unknown assailants opened fire at the Gurugram home of social media influencer and Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner Elvish Yadav on August 17, 2025. Elvish's family reported that three masked assailants arrived on a motorcycle between 5:30 and 6 a.m. and fired 25–30 bullets, damaging the walls, windows, and floor of the house.

Family members were inside the house at the time of the incident. However, no one was injured. The Himanshu Bhau gang claimed responsibility for the attack in a social media post. The gang alleged that Elvish Yadav was promoting a gambling app, which had ruined many families.

 PC:Jagran