Monkey-man of Delhi (कला बंदर, 'Kala Bandar')

2001

In May 2001 reports spread through New Delhi of a monkey-like creature attacking people at night, described as four feet tall and covered in black hair with a metal helmet, metal claws and glowing red eyes. Over 350 sightings were reported, around 60 involving injuries, and two people died falling from rooftops while fleeing. Police released artists' sketches but found no physical evidence; the episode is described as mass hysteria, and by mid-2002 teenagers were caught fabricating sightings in monkey costumes.