Meerut Man's 'Cure' for Depression: Slapping Pedestrians to Experience "Dopamine Rush" – Check The Viral Video
A Meerut graduate was arrested for slapping pedestrians to experience a "dopamine rush" as a way to cope with depression. His bizarre actions, captured in a viral video, have shocked the community.
Meerut, Uttar Pradesh – A bizarre series of incidents has come to light in Meerut, where a 23-year-old jobless graduate, identified as Kapil Kumar, was arrested for allegedly slapping pedestrians, including a woman and a retired PCS officer, in what he described as an attempt to experience a "dopamine rush." Kumar had reportedly been on a slapping spree for the past 5-6 months, with multiple complaints lodged against him before his arrest.
According to the police, Kumar’s actions stemmed from a troubled past. He lost his father five years ago, and his mother remarried shortly after, leading to his strained relationship with family members. Kumar had been living with his mother and stepfather in Suraj Kund, Meerut. During questioning, the police revealed that Kumar had been suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts for some time.
The police were able to identify Kumar through CCTV footage and witness accounts. He was subsequently booked under Section 115 of the Indian Penal Code (voluntarily causing hurt). When questioned, Kumar admitted to slapping people randomly while riding his scooter, claiming that the act gave him a temporary feeling of exhilaration.
Something Good Might Happen
"During questioning, he told police that he was jobless, and “nothing good” was happening to him when he was at home and he was ‘not disturbing anyone'. So, one day, he thought that perhaps ‘something good might happen by doing a few bad things', following which he went on slapping strangers on the road," a police official stated.
The police described Kumar’s behavior as a complex issue with underlying psychological motivations. He apparently sought out the "dopamine rush" — a feeling of pleasure or reward associated with the brain's release of the neurotransmitter dopamine — to escape his feelings of frustration and helplessness. The motive behind his random acts of violence seemed rooted in an attempt to break the monotony of his life, where nothing "positive was happening."
Check Out the Viral Video
In a bizarre incident, a 23-year-old jobless graduate, #KapilKumar, was arrested in #UttarPradesh's #Meerut for allegedly slapping pedestrians, including a woman and a retired PCS officer, to experience a "dopamine rush". The police reported that Kumar had been on a slapping… pic.twitter.com/4Lg6FLhUiC
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) December 31, 2024
The incidents began gaining attention after multiple reports were filed by victims, including a retired PCS officer who was slapped by Kumar while riding a two-wheeler. Additionally, a woman, who claimed to be a close relative of a local politician, also lodged a complaint against the unidentified slapper. These complaints triggered an investigation by the police, leading to the identification and arrest of Kumar.
Psychological Underpinnings
Experts believe that Kumar's actions might point to deeper psychological issues, including his unresolved grief over his father’s death and the trauma from bullying during his childhood. His desire to experience a dopamine rush, through harmful actions, could be a coping mechanism for his emotional pain. It underscores the need for better mental health support and counseling, especially for young people dealing with personal crises.
As investigations continue, the local police have urged the community to remain vigilant and report any similar incidents to prevent further harm.
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