Top News

Court Proceedings Against Darshan and Co-Accused

Bengaluru: A court in Karnataka has formally charged Kannada film star Darshan, his partner Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others in connection with the high-profile murder of a fan, Renukaswamy, which occurred on June 8, 2024.

All accused, including Darshan, have pleaded not guilty to the allegations surrounding the brutal murder. Renukaswamy was reportedly abducted from Chitradurga, transported to Bengaluru, and subjected to severe torture before being killed.

After the murder, his remains were discarded in a canal, with the discovery made when security personnel at a nearby apartment complex noticed the body being dragged by dogs.

During the court session, Judge Erappanna Pavadi Naik outlined the charges against the defendants and confirmed their understanding of the proceedings.

The trial is set to commence on November 10, following the court's adjournment.

Darshan, along with his co-accused, was brought to court under tight security measures, with additional police presence ensuring safety.

The judge initially restricted attendance to only the lawyers involved in the case, expressing concerns about managing the large number of accused present.

Darshan faces multiple serious charges, including murder under IPC Section 302, inflicting grievous injuries under Section 355, criminal conspiracy under Section 120-b, and several others related to evidence tampering and kidnapping.

The court had previously scheduled the charge framing for October 31, but Darshan's attorney requested additional time to clarify the charges to his client, leading to a postponement to November 3.

On September 4, 2024, police submitted a comprehensive 3,991-page charge sheet detailing the involvement of Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and their associates in the kidnapping and murder.

The document reportedly outlines their roles in the conspiracy, torture, and subsequent cover-up efforts, including misleading law enforcement.

Evidence collected includes CCTV footage linking the accused to the crime scene and forensic confirmation of blood stains on Darshan's clothing.

Investigators have also tracked communications among the accused, revealing messages sent regarding Renukaswamy's abduction.

Witness statements have been recorded, and incriminating photographs from one of the accused's mobile devices have been retrieved.

Darshan and his associates were arrested on June 11, 2024, following allegations that Renukaswamy had sent inappropriate messages to Pavithra Gowda, which incited Darshan's anger.

After a period of alleged preferential treatment in custody, Darshan was transferred to Ballari Prison. He was released on October 30, 2024, after 131 days but was re-arrested following a Supreme Court ruling that canceled his bail.