In a bizarre turn of events, an attempt to capture a murder scene for an Instagram reel sparked widespread panic in Kalaburagi late Monday night, leading to the arrest of two individuals, police confirmed on Tuesday.
The incident unfolded at the Humnabad Ring Road, where two men, identified as Saibanna and Sachin, attempted to film a staged murder scene using a blunt object and red liquid resembling blood.
The realistic portrayal led local residents to believe a real crime was taking place.
According to police reports, Saibanna was seen straddling Sachin, simulating an attack with the blunt object, while Sachin lay on the ground, the scenery made more grisly by the fake blood that covered both men.
Unaware of the duo's intentions to create content for social media, alarmed local residents contacted authorities, resulting in a response from the Kalaburagi Sub-Urban Police.
A video of the staged incident quickly spread online, exacerbating the situation and drawing swift police intervention. Both Saibanna and Sachin were taken into custody and are currently being interrogated.
"The actions of Saibanna and Sachin caused significant panic among the public," a police official stated.
"Investigations are underway to understand their motives and to prevent such incidents in the future."
The incident has highlighted the potential dangers and unintended consequences of creating dramatic content for social media platforms without proper context or communication with the local community.