A viral video that triggered widespread panic over alleged use of “zombie drug” in the city has been confirmed as a hoax following a detailed police investigation, Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said.
The video, which surfaced on social media, showed a man standing motionless on a street in the Bagalur area near Nitte College between April 7 and 8. It was widely circulated with claims linking the incident to the use of synthetic “zombie drug”, sparking concern among residents.
Acting swiftly, the Yelahanka police traced the individual in the video, a migrant labourer, and subjected him to a medical examination. According to police findings, the man was not under the influence of any synthetic narcotics. Instead, tests revealed that he had consumed alcohol along with medication prescribed for arthritis and sinus-related issues, which likely caused his condition.
Taking serious note of the spread of misinformation, the police have handed over the case to the Central Crime Branch (CCB) for further investigation. Authorities are currently tracking the individual who originally uploaded and circulated the video on social media.
Mr. Singh expressed concern over the irresponsible sharing of unverified content, noting that many people amplified the video without confirming its authenticity or informing the police.
