Bengaluru, Aug 14 — Kannada actor Darshan was arrested from his wife’s flat in Bengaluru on Thursday after the Supreme Court cancelled his bail in the Renukaswamy fan murder case and ordered his immediate custody.
Darshan, who had returned from out of town, was apprehended at Prestige South Ridge Apartments in Hosakerehalli and taken to Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station for a medical check-up before being produced in court. Police said he tried to mislead them by switching vehicles and entering through a back entrance, but was tracked by special teams.
Earlier in the day, Pavithra Gowda — Darshan’s partner and prime accused — was arrested from her residence in RR Nagar. She too will undergo a medical examination before court appearance. Pavithra had posted on Instagram, “The truth holds greater power… justice will always find its way,” but reportedly broke down upon hearing the verdict.
DCP West S. Girish confirmed that five accused — Darshan, Pavithra, Laxman, Pradosh, and Nagaraj — are now in custody, with efforts underway to nab the remaining two, Jagadish alias Jagga and Anukumar alias Anu, from Chitradurga district.
The Supreme Court, through a bench of Justices R. Mahadevan and J.B. Pardiwala, found the High Court’s earlier decision flawed and stressed that “no one, regardless of stature, is above the law.” The court also directed swift witness examination to expedite the trial.
Darshan, Pavithra, and 15 others were arrested on June 11, 2024, for allegedly kidnapping and murdering 33-year-old Renukaswamy from Chitradurga. Pavithra, in her defence, claimed she is a single mother with no criminal background, had no role in the murder, and was a victim of sexual harassment by the deceased. The SC, however, rejected these arguments, cancelling her bail along with that of the co-accused.
