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Zombie Drug Panic: Bengaluru Police Debunk Viral Hoax
10 Apr
Summary
- Viral video of a man showing zombie-like symptoms was debunked by police.
- The man was suffering from arthritis and sinusitis combined with alcohol.
- The video creator was arrested for spreading misinformation and causing panic.
Bengaluru police have debunked a viral video that circulated widely on social media, falsely claiming a man was under the influence of a 'zombie drug.' The man featured in the video, from Punjab and working as a truck driver in Bengaluru for three months, was actually experiencing disorientation due to a reaction between prescribed arthritis and sinusitis medication and alcohol consumption.
Bagalur police swiftly identified and arrested Hemanth Kumar, a 29-year-old field executive, who recorded and uploaded the video on Instagram. He admitted to being influenced by online videos and assumed the man was on a 'zombie drug.' The clip had reached approximately 75,000 people before police intervention, causing significant public alarm.
Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh confirmed that no narcotics were detected. Doctors found the man's condition was due to medication and alcohol. Home Minister G. Parameshwara reiterated that no 'zombie drug' was involved, emphasizing the viral video creator's arrest. The man who posted the video later confessed and apologized for causing panic, facing charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and IT Act.
