Bizarre but true: UP woman blames husband for losing 2 Instagram followers— Files police complaint

Sometimes real life is stranger than fiction, and a recent incident in Uttar Pradesh (UP) is an example of this. A strange marital dispute over social media turned into a police matter in Uttar Pradesh after a woman claimed her husband's household demands caused her to lose two Instagram followers!According to a report by News18, Nisha, from Hapur in UP, approached the Women’s Police Station after she noticed her Instagram followers dropped by two people.

She blamed her husband, Vijendra— with whom she lived in Noida— for forcing her to spend more time on chores and less on Instagram. She said this shift in priorities led to a drop in her follower count, which left her upset enough to leave him and return to her parental home in Pilkhuwa.The couple reportedly had ongoing disagreements, with Vijendra asking Nisha to reduce the time she spent on Instagram and focus more on household responsibilities.

Nisha admitted that when she followed his suggestion, she could no longer maintain her routine of posting two Reels a day—and eventually lost two followers.“My followers declined as I was kept busy washing utensils and cleaning the house by my husband. I didn’t get time to make Reels,” she reportedly told police, according to Deccan Herald.Not just this, Vijendra also filed a counter-complaint, stating that Nisha was constantly on Instagram and neglected her domestic duties.

The standoff led both parties to the Women’s Police Station in Hapur, where Station In-Charge Aruna Rai listened to both sides for nearly four hours. The couple was counselled on the importance of balancing personal interests with responsibilities and maintaining harmony in marriage.While the case didn’t lead to formal charges, it certainly highlights the strange ways in which social media can influence personal relationships today— sometimes, all the way to the police station.

5 ways social media can adversely affect relationships

1. Jealousy and insecurityConstantly seeing your partner like, follow, or comment on someone else’s posts on social media can trigger unnecessary jealousy or insecurity, thus leading to fights and distrust in the relationship.2. Unrealistic expectationsSocial media often showcases only the best parts of others’ lives and relationships. This leads to unnecessary comparisons in your relationship.3. Reduced quality timeEndless scrolling during meals, conversations, or quality moments can make your partner feel ignored or unimportant.4. Lack of privacySharing personal details or relationship issues online can invite unwanted opinions or judgment. Oversharing can also breach your partner's sense of privacy, leading to conflict or embarrassment.5. Temptation and emotional affairsSocial media makes it easy to reconnect with old flames or engage in secret chats. What may start as casual flirting can sometimes evolve into emotional cheating, damaging trust and loyalty in the relationship.