Bengaluru: Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot has been accorded Z+ security by the Union Home Ministry, following a security review. The enhanced security, which was previously managed by the state police, will now be overseen by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Raj Bhavan officials confirmed. Armed CRPF personnel will accompany the governor in shifts during his travels across the state.

The decision was based on a review conducted by central intelligence agencies. Although the specific reasons behind the upgrade remain unclear, it is believed to be connected to the governor's approval of an investigation into the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case, which allegedly involves Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his wife.

This security upgrade follows protests from Congress, including a controversial statement by Congress MLC Ivan D'Souza, who warned of a ‘Bangladesh-type agitation’ to remove the governor. In response, the Karnataka government had already provided Gehlot with a bulletproof vehicle.

While all governors are eligible for Z+ security, Gehlot, who assumed office in July 2021, had not opted for this level of protection until now. The Centre extended the enhanced cover after the latest threat assessment, which is conducted every six months. The CRPF has taken charge of the governor’s security, with additional procedures expected to be finalised this week.

Gehlot, 76, previously served as the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment from 2014. He is the first person from Madhya Pradesh to hold the position of Governor in Karnataka.

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Bengaluru (PTI): A day after a video of a man seen in a disoriented state went viral on social media with claims that he was under the influence of a so-called “zombie drug”, police on Friday arrested a 29-year-old employee of a private firm here for uploading the “misleading” video.

Hemanth, a resident of Vidyaranyapura, was issued a notice to join the inquiry, police said.

Learning that the police were looking for him, he posted an apology on social media. He was later taken into custody, a senior police officer said.

A case has been registered against him under Sections 353(2), relating to statements conducing to public mischief, including spreading false information or rumours that could incite public disorder, and Section 352, dealing with intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, among others, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, police added.

After Hemanth uploaded the video, it quickly went viral on Thursday.

Later, police clarified that the man shown in a disoriented state in the video had not consumed any narcotic or psychotropic substance.

He was subjected to a medical examination, and the report confirmed that there was no trace of narcotic substances, Bengaluru police said.

The police also urged the public not to spread unverified or misleading information on social media platforms, as such content can create unnecessary panic and harm individuals’ reputations.

The footage, which circulated widely on social media, showed the man standing motionless. People claimed he might be under the influence of a synthetic “zombie drug” and raised concerns about its availability in the city.

An inquiry revealed that the individual seen in the video had come to Bengaluru in search of a livelihood and had been residing there for the past three months, police said, adding that further investigation is ongoing.

The police warned that strict action will be taken against persons found spreading false information or rumours.