Bengaluru: A bizarre incident in Bengaluru has gone viral after a family attempted to send an elderly man in a sack through a courier service, claiming later that the act was staged for a social media reel. The incident, which took place in the Vyalikaval area of the city on Tuesday afternoon, shocked courier staff and prompted police attention after CCTV footage surfaced online.
According to reports, five members of a family entered a local courier office carrying a large sack and requested the staff to deliver it as a parcel. Their unusual request raised suspicion among the employees when they noticed movement inside the sack.
When the staff opened the sack to check its contents, they were startled to find an elderly man inside who was struggling to breathe.
Suspicious parcel raises alarm
The unusual scene unfolded when the family approached the courier office with the sack and asked employees to arrange delivery.
Staff members initially assumed it was a regular parcel but quickly became suspicious after noticing that the sack appeared to move slightly. Concerned about what might be inside, the employees decided to open it.
To their shock, they discovered an elderly man inside the sack, apparently gasping for air. The situation caused panic inside the courier office as staff members realised the seriousness of the situation.
Despite the alarming discovery, the family reportedly continued to insist that the courier staff send the sack for delivery.
Heated argument with courier staff
According to eyewitness accounts, the family attempted to persuade the courier staff to accept the parcel even after the man was found inside the sack.
They allegedly offered to pay extra money in an attempt to convince the employees to deliver the package. However, the staff refused and questioned the family about their actions.
The situation soon escalated into a heated argument between the family members and the courier employees.
Concerned about the safety of the elderly man and the unusual circumstances, the staff decided to inform the police about the incident.
Family flees after police alerted
When the courier employees alerted the police about the incident, the family members reportedly fled the scene before officers could arrive.
The incident, however, had already been captured on CCTV cameras installed inside the courier office. The footage soon began circulating widely on social media platforms, drawing strong reactions from the public.
Many viewers expressed shock and disbelief over the act, questioning how anyone could attempt such a stunt involving an elderly person.
Family claims stunt was for social media
After the video went viral, the family later issued an apology and claimed that the entire episode had been staged for a social media reel.
According to their explanation, the stunt was intended to highlight the rising cost of travel during the Ramzan and Ugadi festive season.
The family stated that they wanted to draw attention to increasing bus and air ticket prices and had planned the incident as a humorous or attention-grabbing reel.
However, they admitted that the act was inappropriate and apologised for their behaviour.
“We wanted to highlight the rising cost of bus and air tickets during Ramzan and Ugadi. We did not realise what we were doing was wrong. We apologise for our mistake,” they reportedly said.
They also urged others not to attempt similar stunts for social media content.
Police take note of the incident
Police have taken note of the viral footage and the unusual incident. Authorities said they are examining the matter and gathering information about those involved.
Officials have indicated that using potentially dangerous or misleading acts for social media content could lead to legal consequences, particularly if it causes panic or endangers someone’s safety.
Investigators are likely to question the individuals involved and determine whether any legal provisions were violated.
Concerns over risky social media content
The incident has once again highlighted the growing trend of individuals staging risky or controversial acts to gain attention on social media platforms.
Experts warn that such stunts can create unnecessary panic, disrupt public services and even put people’s lives at risk.
Authorities have repeatedly urged citizens to act responsibly and avoid engaging in dangerous activities simply for online popularity.
Conclusion
The bizarre episode in Bengaluru serves as a reminder of how far some individuals may go to create viral content. While the family has apologised and claimed the act was meant as a social media stunt, the incident has raised serious questions about safety and responsibility.
As police continue their inquiry, officials are expected to determine whether the stunt violated any laws and whether further action is required.