Actor Darshan, Pavitra Gowda charged with murder, conspiracy in Renukaswamy case

A Bengaluru court on Monday framed charges against Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, his friend Pavithra Gowda and 15 others, in the 2024 Renukaswamy murder case. The trial in the case is likely to commence from November 10.

Renukaswamy, 33, working at a medical shop in Chitradurga, was kidnapped by actor Darshan’s associates for sending lewd messages to Pavithra Gowda, brought to a shed in Bengaluru where the actor, his friend Pavithra Gowda and others allegedly beat him to death and disposed of the body in a storm water drain, in an attempt to cover up the crime, the police have alleged in the 3,991-page charge sheet filed on September 3, 2024.

Pavithra was named as Accused No. 1 and Darshan as Accused No. 2, detailing the alleged role of each accused in the crime. A supplementary charge sheet was submitted later.