Bengaluru: Kannada film superstar Darshan, currently incarcerated in Ballari district prison for his alleged involvement in the murder of a fan, Renukaswamy, has proclaimed his innocence in a bail petition submitted to the High Court. The petition, which is set to be heard by Justice M. Nagaprasanna this Friday, asserts that Darshan has been framed in a case rife with inconsistencies.
The bail application outlines a lack of substantial evidence linking Darshan to the murder. It notes that while Renukaswamy suffered a significant head injury, no other major wounds were identified, and there is ambiguity surrounding the exact time of death. The petition highlights contradictions between witness statements presented in court and medical examination reports, arguing that the authorities have fabricated evidence against Darshan.
In his plea, Darshan’s legal team emphasizes the actor's considerable fan base in Karnataka and beyond, detailing his movable and immovable properties to support his case for bail. Sources indicate that Darshan's wife, Vijayalaxmi, is preparing arrangements for his potential transport back to Bengaluru by helicopter should the court grant bail. The harrowing details of the murder case reveal that Renukaswamy was abducted from Chitradurga on June 9, taken to Bengaluru, and subjected to brutal assault before his body was disposed of in a drain at Sumanahalli.
Following the heinous crime, 17 individuals, including Darshan and his partner Pavithra Gowda, were arrested on June 11. Despite his claims of innocence, Darshan has reportedly admitted to assaulting Renukaswamy, allegedly in response to inappropriate messages sent to Gowda by the victim. This admission is documented in a 20-page statement included in the extensive 3,991-page charge sheet submitted to the 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s court.
The charge sheet reveals that Renukaswamy had communicated with Gowda using a fake Instagram account, where he made explicit threats and comparisons to Darshan, escalating tensions that ultimately led to his tragic fate. Additionally, Darshan is currently under scrutiny for receiving preferential treatment while in Central Prison in Bengaluru, resulting in the suspension of nine prison officers and multiple FIRs against him and associates. As the hearing approaches, the future remains uncertain for the Kannada actor, whose once-celebrated career now hangs in the balance amid serious criminal allegations.
