Social Media Influencer Detained By Bengaluru Police For Unapproved Gathering At Church Street

German influencer Younes Zarou was briefly detained by Bengaluru Police for visiting Church Street without prior approval for a public gathering. This incident occurred on a Wednesday evening, and he was later released. On Instagram, Zarou assured his followers of his safety and expressed gratitude to senior officers for their assistance.

Younes Zarou, born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, on January 2, 1998, grew up in Flörsheim am Main. He is one of five siblings. His mother worked as a nurse, while his father owned a vehicle repair shop. Despite some misconceptions, he is of Moroccan descent and not Indian.

Influencer's Online Presence

Zarou has a significant presence on social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube. He boasts over 21 million followers on Instagram and regularly shares vibrant behind-the-scenes clips on YouTube. His journey began on TikTok in 2019 with illusion-style videos that quickly gained popularity.

Before his visit to Bengaluru, Zarou had announced his arrival on Instagram with the message: "Church Street, we are coming." As crowds gathered around him, the Cubbon Park police intervened due to safety concerns and the lack of necessary permissions for such high-footfall areas.

Social Media Success

Zarou's YouTube channel launched on May 6, 2021. By 2022, he had surpassed 1.1 million subscribers. As of 2025, his subscriber count has skyrocketed to 22.4 million with an impressive 1.3 billion views amassed in just one year. His most popular video titled "Do not waste resources" garnered 659 million views and over 22 million likes since its release on October 10, 2022.

This incident follows a similar situation involving British singer Ed Sheeran who was stopped from performing on Church Street during his India tour months earlier. Such events highlight the importance of obtaining proper permissions for public gatherings in busy areas.

Personal Life

Reports from Sportskeeda indicate that Younes is married and has a daughter; however, he maintains privacy regarding his family life by not sharing their names publicly. Occasionally, his daughter appears in his TikTok videos.

After the incident in Bengaluru, Zarou posted: "I am survived and I am fine. Bengaluru is not for beginners. Thanks to the police chief; without him I think I would be somewhere else now." This statement reflects both relief and appreciation towards local authorities.