Darshan and Co Deny Police Charges Against Them in a Murder Case
Bengaluru court to begin trial on November 10 after all 17 accused, including Darshan and Pavithra Gowda, plead not guilty
Bengaluru: All the 17 accused persons including actor Darshan and his girlfriend Pavithra Gowda denied charges framed against them by the police in connection with the alleged murder of Renukaswamy, before the Court in Bengaluru on Monday.
The accused made it clear to the Court over their preparedness to face the trial in the alleged murder of Renukaswamy in Bengaluru city in June, 2024 . The accused, some of them on bail and others in jail over their involvement in the alleged murder of Renukaswamy appeared before the Court. Darshan was ferried from Central Prison, Bengaluru in police escort.
It may be recalled here the body of Renukaswamy was discovered by roadside under Kamakshipalya police station limits of Bengaluru city and police investigation led to the arrest of actor Darshan, his girlfriend Pavithra Gowda along with associates in the crime.
It is alleged Renukaswamy was murdered at the behest of Darshan by his associates and later his body was dumped on the roadside. Darshan is said to be enraged over lewd messages sent to Pavithra Gowda by Renukaswamy on her mobile phone. On the directions of Darshan, his associates ferried Renukaswamy from Chitradurga and alleged torture led to his death.
Earlier, the High Court of Karnataka granted interim bail to Darshan to undergo surgery for his spine and Supreme Court cancelled the bail leading to his arrest a couple of months back.
An advocate representing Darshan told reporters in Bengaluru “It is a procedure (appearing before the Court) followed in a criminal case against the accused.”
He stated police have charged the accused persons based on their investigation into the alleged murder of Renukaswamy and the Court brought to the notice of the accused the charges framed against them by the police. All the accused denied the charges against them.
Now, the advocate said, police have to submit a list of witnesses to be examined first in connection with the murder and the Court will decide on conducting the trial either through video-conferencing or in person.
