Actor Darshan and co-accused Pavithra Gowda, along with two others, were denied bail by a Bengaluru Sessions Court in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case. However, two other accused were granted bail.

BENGALURU: A Bengaluru Sessions Court on Monday rejected the bail applications of popular Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and his co-accused, Pavithra Gowda, in the high-profile Renukaswamy murder case.

The court, presided over by Judge Jaishankar, also refused bail to the two other accused, Lakshman and Nagaraju.

The accused were seeking release after being arrested in connection with the brutal murder of 33-year-old auto driver Renukaswamy, whose body was found on June 9.

Renukaswamy is said to have died from injuries sustained during an attack allegedly orchestrated by Darshan.

The actor is accused of instructing his fans to accost the victim after Renukaswamy made derogatory comments on social media against Darshan’s alleged partner, Pavithra Gowda.

Darshan, who has been in judicial custody since his arrest on June 11, filed his bail application on September 21.

Despite his legal team’s efforts, including Senior Advocate CV Nagesh and Advocate Tommy Sebastian, the court was not persuaded to release him on bail.

However, the Sessions Court granted bail to Ravi Shankar and Deepak Kumar, two other accused in the case.

The prosecution, led by Special Public Prosecutor P Prasanna Kumar, has argued that Darshan’s influence and public stature might lead to tampering with evidence or witness intimidation if bail were granted.

Darshan and Pavithra Gowda remain lodged in Ballari Prison as the investigation continues into the murder, which has sent shockwaves through the Kannada film industry.

The allegations have sparked intense media scrutiny due to Darshan’s prominent status as an actor in the region.

The case involves multiple legal angles, including cyber defamation, criminal conspiracy, and culpable homicide, and is expected to be a prolonged trial.

With the denial of bail, Darshan’s legal team may now look to the High Court for further recourse.

Party Names and Bench Details:

• Accused: Darshan Thoogudeepa, Pavithra Gowda, Lakshman, Nagaraju
• Prosecutor: Special Public Prosecutor P Prasanna Kumar
• Defence Advocates: Senior Advocate CV Nagesh, Advocate Tommy Sebastian
• Judge: Sessions Court Judge Jaishankar