Vihozhonu Zao Murder: Police Urge Public to Avoid Spreading Misinformation

In a firm response to the spread of misinformation surrounding the murder of 22-year-old basketball player Vihozhonu Zao, Nagaland Police issued a stern warning to the public on Thursday against circulating unverified content related to the case.

Authorities in Kohima labeled the proliferation of speculative narratives on social media as “unacceptable” and threatened immediate legal action against those responsible. The warning comes amid heightened public emotion following the discovery of Zao’s body on October 25, a day after her murder.

Police confirmed the arrest of Samuel Zao, the victim’s adopted uncle, on Tuesday. According to investigators, the suspect has confessed to killing Vihozhonu in their residence at Old Minister’s Hill in Kohima. Neighbors discovered her body the day following the murder.

In what they termed a “stringent public warning and advisory,” law enforcement officials expressed concern that despite the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation, numerous social media users, online influencers, and even several media outlets have been disseminating unsubstantiated claims about the murder’s circumstances, possible motives, and individuals allegedly involved.

The police advisory emphasized that such behavior constitutes punishable offenses under the Information Technology Act and various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to defamation, public mischief, spreading hatred, and interfering with an ongoing investigation. Those found sharing, promoting, or generating baseless or defamatory content risk arrest, criminal prosecution, and imprisonment.

Authorities specifically cautioned against naming or defaming individuals not officially identified as suspects by investigators. They also warned against attempts to link the murder to communal identities or communities without substantiating evidence, a move that could potentially inflame tensions in the ethnically diverse northeastern state.

“We will not allow the digital space to become a breeding ground for misinformation around a serious criminal investigation,” read the police statement, which described the advisory as a “final notice” to the public.

The murder has sent shockwaves through Nagaland, where Zao was known as a state-level basketball player. Her death has triggered widespread public demonstrations, including candlelight vigils, and calls for expedited justice from various quarters of society.

Civil society organizations, student unions, and women’s groups across the state have united in demanding a fair, transparent, and time-bound investigation into the killing. The case has highlighted concerns about violence against women in the region and renewed calls for greater protection measures.

In response to public concern, police officials have assured citizens that the case is receiving top priority within the department. They have appealed for the public’s cooperation by urging people to verify information through official channels before sharing content related to the case.

The advisory also emphasized the human impact of spreading misinformation, noting that false narratives only intensify the trauma experienced by Zao’s bereaved family and potentially undermine the pursuit of justice. Authorities encouraged the public to report false or malicious posts they encounter online rather than amplifying them through shares or forwards.

This case emerges against a backdrop of growing concern nationwide about the impact of social media on criminal investigations. Law enforcement agencies across India have increasingly found themselves battling not just crime but also the spread of misinformation that can compromise investigations, create public panic, or lead to vigilantism.

Police have requested that media outlets exercise responsibility in their coverage of the case and rely only on official updates to ensure accurate reporting.