No ‘Zombie Drug’ Involved: Police Debunk Viral Thane Video Claims

New Delhi, April 21, 2026: A recent viral video that sparked widespread alarm on social media, claiming a man in Thane was under the influence of a “zombie drug,” has been officially debunked by authorities. Following a swift investigation, the Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar police have confirmed that the incident was not related to any mysterious narcotic, but rather a severe case of medication misuse.

What Happened?

The video, which began circulating online around April 15, showed a man standing in a dazed, motionless state on a road in the Bhayander area of Thane, Maharashtra. The footage quickly went viral, with many users speculating—without evidence—that the individual was suffering the effects of an illicit substance frequently referred to online as a “zombie drug.”

The Official Police Investigation

Taking cognizance of the alarming footage and the panic it was causing, the local crime detection branch launched a probe to trace the individual and verify the claims. On April 17, authorities successfully located the man in Bhayander.

During the investigation, police identified the individual as 22-year-old Sameer Rajendra Rawal, a laborer from the Achham district of Nepal, currently residing near Borivali Railway Station in Mumbai.

The findings of the police report are as follows:

• Cause of Condition: The man was not under the influence of any so-called “zombie drug.” Instead, he had consumed an excessive dose of Pregabalin, a prescription medicine used to treat nerve pain, epilepsy, and anxiety.
• The Incident: Rawal, who revealed he had been addicted to the medication for the past two years, purchased a strip of 10 tablets for ₹100 from a local medical shop in Navghar without a prescription. On April 13, he consumed five tablets at once, which led to the dizziness and inability to move that was captured in the viral video.
• Legal Action: The police, in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), inspected the medical shop where the drugs were procured. It was discovered that the shopkeeper had fled the area after the video went viral. A formal report has been submitted to the FDA for strict action against the establishment for the illegal sale of Schedule-H drugs.

A Lesson in Misinformation

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the speed at which unverified information can spread online. Similar to a recent incident in Bengaluru, where a man standing motionless also triggered baseless “zombie drug” rumors, these social media trends often overlook the reality of substance abuse issues in favor of sensationalism.

The police have once again urged the public to exercise caution when consuming and sharing such content. Spreading unverified claims not only causes unnecessary public panic but also distracts from addressing the real, underlying issues of drug abuse and the illegal sale of prescription medications that require community attention and regulatory enforcement.