Man Who Posted Zombie Drug Video Detained, Issues Apology For Spreading Misinformation

A viral video that triggered fears of a so-called "zombie drug" in the city has been found to be misleading, with police confirming that no narcotics were involved. The man who filmed and shared the clip has been arrested for spreading misinformation online.

The video, which showed a man staggering and appearing disoriented on a roadside in Bagalur, quickly gained traction on social media, raising concerns about the alleged entry of a dangerous synthetic drug into Bengaluru. However, a police probe found that the claims were baseless.

What Did Bengaluru Police Find?

According to Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, medical tests conducted on the man in the video showed no presence of narcotic or psychotropic substances. Doctors concluded that his condition was caused by a combination of prescribed medicines and alcohol.

The individual, a truck driver from Punjab currently living in Bagalur, had reportedly taken medication for arthritis and sinusitis before consuming alcohol while off duty. This led to disorientation, swelling of the face, and difficulty walking-symptoms that were misinterpreted as drug use in the viral clip.

Who Posted the Zombie Video?

Police identified the person behind the video as Hemanth Kumar, 29, a field executive from Vidyaranyapura. He recorded the 32-second clip on April 7 around 11.30 am near Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology on Bagalur Main Road.

During questioning, Hemanth told investigators that he suspected the man was under the influence of a "zombie drug" after seeing similar videos online. He uploaded the clip on Instagram without verifying the facts, which led to widespread panic.

The video reportedly reached tens of thousands of viewers within hours and crossed one lakh views soon after.

What Action Has Been Taken?

Bagalur police traced both the driver and the person who filmed the video within hours using vehicle details visible in the footage. Hemanth Kumar was later detained and a case was registered against him under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act for spreading public mischief.

He has since issued a video apology, admitting that there was no confirmation of any drug use and expressing regret for causing fear among the public.

Official Response

State Home Minister G. Parameshwara clarified that the incident had nothing to do with any new drug. He stated that the man's condition was the result of alcohol consumption along with medication, and reiterated that there is no "zombie drug" threat in Bengaluru.

The incident has once again highlighted how quickly unverified claims can spread on social media. Police have urged citizens to avoid sharing unverified content, especially on sensitive issues like drug use, and to rely on official sources for confirmation.