Bengaluru Student Thrashed Over Obscene Texts In Copycat Attack Inspired By Darshan Case

Last Updated:July 07, 2025, 12:42 IST

The Soladevanahalli police have registered a case under charges of robbery and kidnapping, and confirmed that all eight accused have been taken into custody.

The youth was kidnapped by the friends of the girl and assaulted. (Pic: X)

In a brutal case of assault inspired by the recent murder of Renukaswamy, involving Kannada actor Darshan, a college student was kidnapped, stripped, and brutally assaulted on the outskirts of Bengaluru, police said on Monday. Eight people have been arrested in connection with the incident, which has sparked outrage after a video of the assault surfaced on social media.

The incident took place on June 30 in Soladevanahalli, located in Nelamangala taluk near Bengaluru. The victim, identified as Kushal, had reportedly sent an obscene message to a girl. Upon learning of it, the girl informed her friends, which allegedly triggered the violent response.

According to police, the group of eight kidnapped Kushal in a car and took him to a remote location. There, they allegedly stripped him and assaulted him mercilessly while issuing threats that mirrored the gruesome killing of Renukaswamy.

In a disturbing echo of the Darshan case, the accused were heard in the viral video referring to themselves as “accused number one, two and three," while calling the victim “Renukaswamy," the name of the man allegedly murdered by Darshan’s associates. The group also threatened to kill Kushal in a similar manner.

The Soladevanahalli police have registered a case under charges of robbery and kidnapping, and confirmed that all eight accused have been taken into custody. “We have arrested all the eight accused on charges of robbery and kidnapping," a senior police officer told PTI. Authorities are also investigating the circulation of the assault video, which has raised concerns about vigilantism and copycat crimes.

Abhro Banerjee

Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ...Read More

Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ...

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