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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.
Renukaswamy’s mutilated body was found near a stormwater drain in Sumanahalli in west Bengaluru on June 9, 2024. Next day four people turned up at the police station owning up to the murder. However, their interrogation had led the police to actor Darshan and his partner Pavithra Gowda.
The 17 accused have now been charged under Section 302 (murder), 359 (kidnapping), 120(b) (criminal conspiracy), 204 (attempt to destroy evidence) among other Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
All the 17 accused in the case pleaded “not guilty” after the judge of the Additional City Civil and Sessions Court (CCH-57) read out the charges. The judge recorded their pleas and posted the case for November 10, 2025.
High drama ensued at the court as all the 17 accused were brought to the court under tight police security. As several advocates and the public gathered in the courtroom, the judge had to ask all those unconnected with the case to leave the court hall to ensure smooth proceedings.
After the proceedings were completed, all the accused signed on charge documents before they were taken back to Parappana Agrahara Central Prison Complex where they are held in judicial custody.
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