New Delhi:
On Saturday nights in the national capital, hordes of young bikers can be seen aboard their mean machines, sometimes pushing the thin lines between daredevilry and fool-hardiness.
These dangerous stunts, at times leave residents and other motorists threatened. That's why from early this month, the police launched a crackdown on them - a move that led to the Saturday night tragedy.
19-year-old Karan Pandey, who was riding pillion with a friend amongst a group of 100 bikers, was fatally shot by cops attempting to stop them.
A former stunt rider Rahul Sharma, tells us why stunt biking is a passion for so many and why the danger eventually made him leave it.
"Every Saturday night messages are sent to various groups to come together and perform stunts. We generally meet at Bangla Sahib, India Gate, Noida Expressway, National Highway 8," says 21-year-old Rahul.
NDTV: Is it because it is a spectator sport? You like the attention from girls?
Rahul: (smiles) See, that's there and that's the people who get into trouble. When I was young, I would do it in front of my colony people but I realised the danger involved and left it.
NDTV: Isn't there a safe place to do this (motorcycle stunting)?
Rahul: One can pay and ride on the Buddh circuit in a professional setup but more often than not people do it on streets around India Gate to attract the audience.
The police are very clear. They feel many stunt bikers have a criminal nexus, a reason why a crackdown was necessary.
"Often these biker gangs indulge in chain snatching, thefts and other graver offences. Many of them are underage, drunk, school drop outs who don't know how to channel their energies," said Anil Shukla, Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic.
For many young bikers, stunt riding is fast becoming an attention seeking cultural fad, propelled by the starry images they see in movies and TV shows. But what they must not forget is that the risks that go along with it are very much real.