Actor Darshan Attends Film Event, Cites ‘Back Pain’ for Missing Renuka Swamy Murder Trial
Karnataka Actor Darshan Thoogudeepa’s Legal Troubles
Bengaluru: Karnataka actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, a central figure in a high-profile criminal case, was recently spotted at a special screening of his latest film, ‘Vamana‘, held in Bengaluru on Tuesday evening. This appearance came shortly after he failed to attend a scheduled court date, citing severe back pain as the reason for his absence.
Medical Excuse and Court’s Response
Thoogudeepa’s legal team had previously reported that the actor was experiencing a resurgence of back pain, an ailment he claimed to have suffered during his time in Bellary prison last year. At that time, he declined treatment at the local medical facility and insisted on being transferred to Bengaluru for care. Following these events, he was granted bail on medical grounds and was admitted to a hospital in the city.
The court, however, expressed dissatisfaction with his recent non-appearance and issued a stern warning to Thoogudeepa, instructing him to be present for all future proceedings without fail. The court emphasized that no further excuses would be tolerated. During the hearing, the actor also submitted a request for the return of Rs 75 lakh in cash, which had been seized from his residence.
Charges and Accusations
The actor, along with several others, including his partner Pavithra Gowda, is accused of orchestrating a heinous crime involving the kidnapping, assault, and murder of Renuka Swamy. Swamy’s body was discovered near a stormwater drain in Bengaluru, following allegations that he had sent inappropriate text messages and made defamatory social media posts about Gowda.
In total, 17 individuals have been charged in connection with this case. Authorities allege that Thoogudeepa may have paid up to Rs 50 lakh to four men involved in the planning and execution of the crime. This sum reportedly included Rs 30 lakh to an individual named Pradosh, also known as Pawan, for overseeing all aspects of the abduction and murder, as well as the disposal of the body. Two others, Nikhil and Keshavamurthy, were allegedly given Rs 5 lakh each for their participation in the murder and disposal of the body.
Additionally, Rs 5 lakh was purportedly allocated to the families of two men, Raghavendra and Karthik, to provide false confessions and serve prison time in place of Darshan, Gowda, and the other accused.
Controversy Over Prison Life
Thoogudeepa’s legal journey has been tumultuous, with his arrest in June last year followed by his release on bail in December, granted by the Karnataka High Court. His time in detention was marred by controversy, particularly after a photo surfaced showing him smoking a cigarette while lounging on a lawn inside Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail. This image, along with videos suggesting a luxurious prison life, sparked outrage and led to an inquiry. Subsequently, Thoogudeepa was transferred to another prison before being released on bail.
With input from agencies