close_game
close_game

Comic hero or civic deviant? Delhi Police books ‘Spidey’

Apr 27, 2024 05:32 AM IST

The first 10 seconds of the video, posted on Verma’s Instagram account on April 18, shows him riding a Royal Enfield Bullet without a helmet

He spins a web, any size; he catches thieves just like flies. He does whatever a spider can. And, occasionally, he zips down the chaotic streets of Najafgarh atop a two-wheeler, helmet-less, without a license plate or a rearview mirror. He’s Spider-Man. Or, in this case, a local approximation of the superhero who throws caution, public safety and traffic laws to the wind in the quest for likes, comments and follows.

The two cosplayers were fined under several sections of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and The Motor Vehicle Act 1988. (HT Photo)
The two cosplayers were fined under several sections of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and The Motor Vehicle Act 1988. (HT Photo)

But his Spidey senses weren’t enough to ward the police off. And it wasn’t Peter Parker beneath the mask.

Delhi Police on Friday penalised 20-year-old Aditya Raj Verma, who sports the Spider-Man costume, and 19-year-old Anjali, who doubles up as Spider-Woman, after a 50-second video of the two cosplayers riding helmet-less on a motorcycle that had neither a license plate nor rearview mirrors went viral on social media.

The two penalisations for reckless behaviour on Delhi’s streets present a cautionary tale of two make-believe comic book heroes turning civic deviants in the pursuit of online engagement.

“I have learnt my lesson. This is my first and last mistake. I will not violate traffic laws again for my videos,” said Verma, who called himself the “Spider-Man of Najafgarh”.

The first 10 seconds of the video, posted on Verma’s Instagram account on April 18, shows him riding a Royal Enfield Bullet without a helmet on the under-construction Urban Extension Road (UER)-II, which is closed for the public.

The rest of the clip shows the two pulling off stunts, driving past a temple, a Metro station, a row of shops, and other cars, bikes and cycles, in parts of Najafgarh – set to the tune of Haryanvi song Jhanjhar by Raj Mawar.

Verma and Anjali’s reckless stunts cost them dearly. They were fined under a litany of sections of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and The Motor Vehicle Act 1988, and had to cough up 22,000.

Deputy commissioner of police (Dwarka) Ankit Singh, said, “At one place in the video, the Bullet’s registration number is visible, which helped us reach the owner of the bike. The owner told us that his cousin, Aditya Raj Verma, borrows his bike sometimes to make videos. The staff then reached Verma,” said.

Throughout the clip, one of 146 similar videos on his Instagram channels, Verma wears the classic red-and-blue Spider-Man suit, replete with the webbed mask and the triangular eyes. Anjali, who goes by a single name, dons the black and silver Spider-Woman outfit from the film Spiderverse, complete with the trademark red-lined hood.

Indeed, they didn’t snap the cosplay when police hauled them up on Friday. A costumed Verma – wearing rubber slippers, in a clear giveaway – was seen in a photograph standing across a traffic police officer holding a long penalty receipt. Anjali stood behind the two, her arms crossed and a woman police officer to her side.

Verma has gained 9,944 followers on Instagram accounts, having fed off Spider-Man’s online traction for five months.

His repertoire includes Spider-Man dancing in a mall to a Hindi film song; doing push-ups in a park; waving a Jai Shree Ram flag dressed in a yellow chikankari kurta over the costume; selling onions on the streets of Najafgarh; dancing atop a tractor in Mitraon village, and from cosplay events.

A resident of Maksudabad Colony in Najafgarh, Verma’s father runs a leather furniture business, and his mother is a homemaker.

He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Delhi University’s School of Open Learning (SOL) and is also enrolled in an editing and graphic design course online.

“These videos are just a hobby. I want to be a graphic designer and animator,” he said.

Verma said that he was 13 when he first watched Tom Holland and Zendaya in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

“I was inspired by him,” he said.

It was only last year that he was introduced to the world of cosplay – the practice of dressing up like a character from a film, book or video game – and he dressed up as Ryomen Sukuna, a Japanese anime character.

“I wanted to go as Spider-Man but I didn’t know where to get a good costume from. At the cosplay, some attendees told me that I can import it from China,” said Verma, who procured one last November for 4,500. He then roped in Anjali, who chose to dress up as Gwen Stacy, a recurring character in Spiderman.

Verma’s nemeses are far more benign than Venom, Doctor Octopus or Vulture, but the threat is just as real.

“My parents are very supportive, but when I was booked by police, they really scolded me,” he said. “I won’t repeat this.”

rec-icon Recommended Topics
Share this article
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!

Stay updated with all top Cities including, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and more across India. Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News along with Delhi Election 2025 and Delhi Election Result 2025 Live, New Delhi Election Result Live, Kalkaji Election Result Live at Hindustan Times.
See More
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!

Stay updated with all top Cities including, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and more across India. Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News along with Delhi Election 2025 and Delhi Election Result 2025 Live, New Delhi Election Result Live, Kalkaji Election Result Live at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Monday, February 10, 2025
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On