In a shocking display of online vigilantism, a young man from Bihar’s Motihari district has landed in hot water after publicly offering a hefty cash reward for anyone who slaps an Uttarakhand resident named Deepak. The incident, which began in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, has now drawn the attention of police from two states, highlighting the dangerous reach of social media provocations.
The controversy ignited on January 26, 2026, when Hindu organization members in Kotdwar confronted the owner of a 30-year-old clothing store named ‘Baba School Dress and Matching Center.’ They demanded the removal of ‘Baba’ from the name, arguing it held religious significance. Deepak, a local man, intervened in support of the shopkeeper, provocatively introducing himself as ‘Mohammad Deepak’ to mock the protesters.
His video exploded across social media platforms, gaining massive traction. But this popularity irked Utakarsh Kumar Singh, a social media enthusiast from Motihari, Bihar. Watching his own follower count dwindle, Utakarsh retaliated with a brazen video challenge: ‘Whoever slaps Mohammad Deepak from Uttarakhand will get Rs 2 lakh in cash from me.’ The clip went viral, prompting Deepak to file a complaint at Kotdwar police station.
Uttarakhand authorities traced Utakarsh’s account to Chhatuni area under Motihari’s police jurisdiction. Coordinating swiftly, Motihari police summoned the 20-something youth to the station. Under pressure, Utakarsh recorded a public apology video directed at Deepak. Yet, even in remorse, he doubled down on his stance, claiming Deepak had disrespected Sanatan Dharma and deserved the slap for betraying his roots.
Police officials confirmed Utakarsh’s detention and apology but emphasized that legal action remains underway. This episode serves as a stark reminder of how personal ambitions for online fame can spiral into real-world threats, crossing state lines and invoking law enforcement intervention. As social media continues to amplify voices, users must weigh the consequences of inflammatory rhetoric that blurs the line between jest and crime.