Police record statements over viral prank

Mangaluru: Belthangady police have recorded statement from the youth involved in a prank reel where a group of young men stitched a youth's ripped jeans. The incident gained attention after the video went viral. However, a formal complaint from the individual involved is still awaited.The incident occurred on Thursday in Santhekatte, Belthangady town. According to sources, a youth wearing ripped jeans was confronted by three persons in public, who stitched his jeans using a sack-packing needle. The act was recorded on a mobile phone, and the footage soon went viral. Distressed by the viral video, the youth whose jeans were stitched is suspected to have consumed poison. In response, Belthangady police recorded statements from the individuals involved in the prank, and are awaiting a formal complaint to proceed further.Belthangady police confirmed that the youth is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital. According to an officer, "Those involved in the incident are friends and were recording a reel for Instagram. They work together and created the reel as a prank before sharing it on social media. We will take necessary action only after recording statements from the youth under treatment and his parents," the officer saidPolice sources added that a case will not be registered if the youth or parents refuse to file a complaint.