Bengaluru Police Debunk Viral 'Zombie Drug' Video, Arrest Man for Spreading Misinformation
A widely circulated video on social media platforms, including Instagram, which purported to show a man under the influence of a so-called "zombie drug" in Bengaluru, has been conclusively debunked by city police authorities. Law enforcement officials have clarified that the individual was not under the influence of any narcotic or psychotropic substance, but was instead experiencing a medical reaction to prescribed medication combined with alcohol.
Swift Police Action Leads to Arrest of Video Creator
Acting promptly on the viral misinformation, personnel from the Bagalur police station arrested a 29-year-old man identified as Hemanth Kumar, a resident of Vidyaranyapura who works as a field executive for a prominent eyewear brand. The arrest occurred on Thursday night after police traced him through his scooter's registration number, which was visible in the 32-second video he uploaded to his Instagram account.
According to police reports, Hemanth Kumar was traveling along Bagalur Main Road around 11:30 AM on April 7 when he noticed a man struggling to walk. Having previously watched videos about "zombie drug" users from American and Russian nationals on YouTube, he incorrectly assumed the individual had consumed such a substance. Without verifying the facts, he recorded and shared the video, which quickly went viral and was even shared by celebrities.
Medical Examination Reveals True Cause of Disoriented Behavior
In response to the widespread public concern triggered by the video, Bagalur police located the man featured in the footage within hours and conducted a thorough medical examination. Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh confirmed that no narcotic or psychotropic substances were detected in the man's system.
Medical professionals determined that the man, who hails from Punjab and had come to Bengaluru three months ago to work as a truck driver, was actually suffering from arthritis and sinusitis. He had taken his prescribed medications along with alcohol while off duty on Wednesday, leading to the disoriented behavior captured in the video. The swelling in his face was attributed to a reaction between the medication and alcohol.
Legal Consequences and Public Clarifications
Bagalur police have registered a case against Hemanth Kumar under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of public mischief, along with provisions of the Information Technology Act. Following his arrest, Hemanth released a video confession in which he apologized to the people of Karnataka for causing unnecessary panic.
Home Minister G. Parameshwara provided additional clarification, stating: "I am told that he had consumed other drugs when he was in Punjab. However, in this instance, he had consumed alcohol along with medicines, which affected him. There is no such zombie drug involved. The man who posted the video has been arrested."
Celebrity Involvement and Viral Impact
The video's rapid spread was amplified when actor Duniya Vijay shared it on his Facebook account, referencing his film Bheema's awareness about drugs and expressing concern about reports of a "zombie" drug reaching Bengaluru. He urged youth to remain cautious and requested police clarification on the claims.
By the time police secured Hemanth Kumar, the video had already reached approximately 75,000 people, and views crossed one lakh by Friday morning. This incident highlights the significant impact of viral misinformation and the importance of verifying facts before sharing content on social media platforms.
