Pranav B Prem

The City Civil and Sessions Court, Bengaluru, on November 3, framed murder charges against 17 individuals, including popular actors Darshan and Pavitra Gowda, in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case. Sessions Judge I.P. Naik framed the charges after the accused were produced before the court from judicial custody. All of them pleaded not guilty. The court has now listed the matter for recording evidence on November 10. The development comes months after the Supreme Court, on August 13, revoked the bail earlier granted to the accused by the Karnataka High Court, leading to their continued detention.

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The High Court had, by its order dated December 13, 2024, granted bail to the accused. However, the State Government challenged that order before the Supreme Court, which subsequently set aside the bail and directed that the accused remain in custody pending trial. According to the charge sheet, Darshan and sixteen others have been booked for offences punishable under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 364 (kidnapping), 302 (murder), 143, 147, 148, 149, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

Investigators allege that Darshan abducted the victim, Renukaswamy, from Chitradurga, and that he was held and assaulted over three days in a shed in Bengaluru during June 2024. The victim is said to have succumbed to the injuries, and his body was disposed of in a drain, as recorded in the police report.

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Apart from Darshan and Pavitra Gowda, the list of accused includes Anu Kumar, Lakshman M, V. Vinay, Jagadeesh, Pradoosh S. Rao, Nagaraju R, and several others who are alleged to have assisted in the abduction and concealment of the crime. The court’s order marks the formal commencement of trial proceedings, with the next stage being the examination of witnesses and recording of evidence.

Cause Title: Kamakshipalya P S & Pavithra Gowda & Others

Case No: SC 1319/2024

Coram: Shri. I.P. Naik (Sessions Judge)