The legal drama surrounding popular Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and his associate, actor Pavithra Gowda, escalated as the 64th Sessions Court in Bengaluru formally charged them and 15 others with murder and criminal conspiracy in the Renukaswamy case. This high-profile case has gripped audiences and media, centering on the death of Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old man and reported fan of Darshan. The tragic incident stemmed from Renukaswamy allegedly sending obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda, who has been named as the main conspirator.
The court proceedings were marked by considerable chaos due to a packed courtroom, prompting Judge IP Naik to express strong frustration. After restoring order, the charges against Gowda were read, outlining the sequence that began with the alleged offensive messages. The court then heard chilling details of the assault on Renukaswamy, which reportedly involved being severely beaten with a slipper and a wooden plank, resulting in fatal injuries. Specifically, the charges allege that Gowda struck the victim with a slipper, while Darshan is accused of a particularly brutal assault on the victim's private parts.
The charges also reveal that some of the accused were allegedly lured with money to falsely confess and take the blame for the crime. Following the refusal of all accused to plead guilty, the court commenced the necessary signing procedures to confirm the framing of charges against all 17 individuals involved. This significant legal step formally marks the beginning of the path toward a full trial.
The next hearing for this complex and highly scrutinized case is scheduled for November 10, officially beginning the trial phase. Darshan, Gowda, and seven other accused were transported back to the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru following the charge framing process. Darshan, a well known star in the Kannada film industry with hits like Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna and Tarak, now faces a severe legal battle that has major implications for his career and public image.