Kannada actor Darshan, others granted bail in Renukaswamy murder case

Bengaluru: Murder accused Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeep, his girlfriend Pavthira Gowda and other accomplices were granted bail by Karnataka High Court on Friday. Currently, Darshan is out on interim bail for six weeks since October 30 to undergo surgery for his herniated disc.

Accomplices in the murder case-Jagadish, Anukumar, Nagaraj, Pradosh and Laxman were also granted bail by the High Court. Two other associates of the actor were earlier granted bail.

Actor’s advocate Sunil Kumar told reporters Darshan is availing treatment as an inpatient at a hospital and declined to share details of his treatment. An advocate representing accused Nagaraj, Manager to Darshan, stated “lacunae” in the charge sheet filed by the police were highlighted in the High Court to get bail for the accused persons.

Victim's father Kashinathaiah Shivanagoudar told reporters in Chitradurga "Let the State Government move the Supreme Court over bail granted to the actor and his associates." He stated he will not exert pressure on the Supreme Court over the issue.

On June 8 this year, Renukaswami, a resident of Chitradurga, was alleged murdered by Darshan and his associates at a shed in Rajarajeshwari Nagar of Bengaluru city and his body was dumped amongst garbage pile in Sumanahallai under Kamakshipalya police station limits in Bengaluru city.

It is alleged Renukaswami was allegedly murdered by Darshan and his associates over lewd messages sent by the deceased to actor’s girlfriend Pavthira Gowda, accused 1 in the murder case.

The body of Renukaswami was discovered by a security guard working in an apartment and police recovered the body to register a case. Gathering clues of the murder, police arrested Darshan from Mysuru city on June 11.

Darshan was lodged in Parappana Agrahara Prison of Bengaluru city and later moved to Ballari Central Prison after his photograph with his friends in the Prison lawn went viral.

The photograph circulated on social media showed Darshan with a cigarette in one hand and a tea mug on the other and engaged in a chat with his friends-Wilson Garden Naga, a rowdy-sheeter and actor's Manager Nagaraj. The actor and his friends were provided chairs inside the Prison.

Over the incident, Minister for Home Dr G. Parameshwar announced the suspension of senior Prison officials over facilities provided to the murder accused actor.