Bengaluru, March 18 (NationPress) A bizarre protest stunt intended for viral attention caused a scene at a courier service center in Bengaluru's Vyalikaval area on Wednesday. A family attempted to send an elderly man as a "human parcel" to draw attention to the challenges of securing bus seats and the rising ticket prices during the festive season.

As the prank escalated, the family issued apologies for their actions. However, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh announced that a case would be filed against them, emphasizing that such behavior sends a negative message to society.

The incident's video quickly went viral on social media.

According to law enforcement, the chaos erupted at a courier office where a family arrived with a large gunny sack, claiming it contained a parcel. When opened, the staff were horrified to discover an elderly man inside, appearing distressed and gasping for air.

Alarmed by the circumstances, the courier personnel promptly notified the Vyalikaval police, who arrived at the scene to find confusion and concern.

Initial investigations indicated that the act was a premeditated stunt aimed at creating a social media reel to showcase the difficulties of obtaining bus tickets during the upcoming Ugadi and Eid festivals.

The family reportedly sought to symbolically illustrate that “couriering a person” was the last resort due to sold-out bus seats.

The elderly man, later identified as the father of one of the women involved, was part of a group consisting of the woman, her husband, her mother-in-law, and her brother-in-law.

Officials expressed that the situation could have escalated dangerously, as the man was found struggling for air when the sack was opened, raising concerns about potential suffocation.

The family was taken to the Vyalikaval police station, where they publicly apologized for the incident. In a recorded video message, they acknowledged that their actions were irresponsible and hazardous, claiming their intention was to stage a satirical protest.

They clarified that their goal was not to commit an offense but to underscore the challenges travelers face due to high fares and limited bus service during festival times. The family admitted they misjudged the gravity of their actions and sought the public's forgiveness, promising not to repeat such a mistake.

However, in light of the incident, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Singh reiterated that a case will proceed, stating, “There is no excuse for such recklessness. We will also seek further details from the Deputy Commissioner of Police regarding the motive behind this act.”