Fungus on hands, smelly clothes, can't live in jail: Darshan asks judge for poison

During the monthly hearing of the Renukaswamy murder case, actor Darshan appeared before the 64th City Civil and Sessions Court, Hall (CCH) via video conference from jail and complained about the conditions he is facing.

Darshan told the judge that he had not seen sunlight for many days, his hands had developed fungus, and his clothes smelled. “I can’t live like this anymore. Please, just give me poison. Life here has become unbearable,” he said.

The actor added that he could not survive in the present situation. “Please give poison at least to me. I don’t want to continue like this,” he said.

The judge responded by saying, “Such things cannot be done. That is not possible.”

Darshan was arrested in June 2024 in connection with the abduction and murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan from Chitradurga. Police allege that Renukaswamy had sent obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda, a close associate of Darshan, which led to him being abducted, tortured in a shed in Bengaluru, and later found dead in a drain.

The actor was initially granted bail by the Karnataka High Court in December 2024, but the Supreme Court cancelled it on August 14, 2025, citing serious concerns over witness tampering and ordering that he not receive any special treatment in custody. Darshan was subsequently re-arrested and remains in judicial custody.

The court also heard discharge petitions from accused numbers 13 and 14 and fixed September 19 as the date for framing charges. Darshan’s plea to avoid transfer to Ballari prison and his request for a bed and mattress have been adjourned to 3 pm.

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