A court in Bengaluru extended Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa’s judicial custody until September 17, along with co-accused Pavithra Gowda and 15 others, in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case. The accused were presented before the 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court via video conferencing from various prisons across Karnataka.
Police recently submitted a 3,991-page preliminary chargesheet, with Darshan currently lodged in Ballari prison after being transferred from Parappana Agrahara Central Jail. The actor’s prison transfer followed the release of a controversial photograph and video of him in jail, which sparked public outrage.
Renukaswamy, a fan of Darshan, was allegedly murdered following an altercation over obscene messages he sent to Pavithra. His body was found near a stormwater drain in June. The post-mortem report indicated that he died from multiple blunt injuries. Authorities have claimed Pavithra played a key role in the crime, instigating the other accused to commit the murder.
