Police in Bengaluru have opened an investigation after a man identified as Kushal was allegedly abducted and violently assaulted by a group of eight to ten people who claimed they were emulating the tactics seen in the high-profile Darshan murder case. According to preliminary accounts, the attackers seized the youth after he purportedly sent obscene messages to a woman, then stripped and beat him, crushing his private parts and recording the assault on video. Senior officers said a case of kidnapping, criminal intimidation and assault has been registered and efforts are under way to identify and apprehend all those involved. Medical officials at the government hospital treating Kushal described his condition as stable but noted serious injuries. Investigators are also examining the video footage, which was circulated locally, to corroborate sequence of events and establish motive.