Aatish Bhatia, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, confirmed that the footage was uploaded to social media the same day the incident occurred.
The 30‑second clip, shot on a mobile phone in Jalandhar’s market area, captures Varun wobbling repeatedly, his eyes wide and hands shaking.
Bhatia said the police had already registered a case against Varun under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and that he had been remanded in Kapurthala Jail for a prior offence.
The incident follows a viral video earlier this month showing a 12‑ to 13‑year‑old child allegedly taking an intoxicant in Kapurthala, which has reignited accusations that Punjab’s drug problem is spiraling.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the Shiromani Akali Dal MP, condemned the video as “horrifying” and lambasted the AAP government, claiming the drug menace threatens Punjab’s future.
Police have ordered a forensic examination of the footage and are preparing a formal charge sheet; the next stage will involve a court hearing scheduled for November 2, 2026.