Murder for Reels? Teens Kill Boy for iPhone

In a disturbing case from Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district, two teenage boys have been accused of murdering a 19-year-old youth, all to steal his iPhone to create high-quality reels for social media.
According to police reports, the two minors, aged 14 and 16, planned and executed the murder of Shadab, a resident of Bengaluru who was visiting his ancestral village in Nagaur, Bahraich, for a family wedding. Their motive? To own a high-end phone that could help them make better content on platforms like Instagram and YouTube.

Timeline of Events

Shadab went missing on the night of June 20, just after he was lured away by the accused on the pretext of shooting reels. The next day, on June 21, his body was discovered near an abandoned tubewell in a guava orchard, located on the outskirts of the village.
Authorities confirmed that his throat had been slit, and his head was crushed with a brick, suggesting a brutal and premeditated murder.

Why They Did It

After a thorough investigation, police detained the two teenagers, who later confessed to planning the murder. They revealed they had targeted Shadab specifically for his iPhone and had been plotting the crime for at least four days.
They told the police that they wanted a smartphone with better camera quality to create professional-looking reels, which they believed would help them gain popularity on social media. They used the promise of filming reels to lure the victim into a secluded area, where they carried out the horrific act.

What Has Been Found So Far

During the investigation, police recovered the following items from the accused:

Shadab’s iPhone
The knife used to slit his throat
The brick used to crush his head

A case was registered under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), specifically under Sections 103(1) (murder) and 238 (concealing evidence).

Initially, the accused and some of their family members fled the village. However, the two teenagers were apprehended on June 27, and one of their relatives, who allegedly helped hide the murder weapon, was arrested a day later. He has since been sent to jail. The search for a fourth suspect, another adult who allegedly aided in the crime, is still ongoing.

Legal Action and Current Status of Accused

The Station House Officer (SHO) of Dehat, Daddan Singh, confirmed that both minors have been sent to the Divisional Juvenile Reform Home in Gonda, where they will remain as the legal process continues.
The case serves as a chilling reminder of how deeply social media influence and peer pressure can impact young minds, especially when mixed with a lack of guidance and exposure to violent content online.

Conclusion

This tragic incident not only highlights the growing concern around digital addiction and social media validation but also sheds light on the urgent need for mental health education, ethical digital usage, and family and community involvement in guiding teenagers.

As the investigation unfolds, the focus must also shift toward understanding the psychological and societal factors that led to such a devastating crime carried out by children, in pursuit of virtual fame.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.