Why is the Court Delaying Charges Against Darshan and Others?
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Key Takeaways
Bengaluru, Oct 31 (NationPress) The trial court, addressing the high-profile fan murder case, has on Friday postponed the charge framing process against incarcerated Kannada superstar Darshan, his associate Pavithra Gowda, and others until November 3.
This decision was made after considering a request from Darshan's lawyer, who emphasized the need for the actor to be adequately briefed on the charge framing procedure.
Darshan's attorney, Sunil, argued that the actor had not been sufficiently informed about the charge framing process and that agreeing to charges without proper understanding could lead to future legal issues. He requested the court to set a new date for the charge framing.
The court instructed the counsel to visit Darshan in prison and update him on the situation. Additionally, it noted the absence of two other defendants and warned that failure to appear could result in warrants being issued, as the presence of all accused is necessary during charge framing.
On the previous Friday, Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and the other accused were present before the court via video conferencing.
The hearing has been rescheduled to November 3.
Once charges are framed, the trial will commence, and witnesses will be examined. The court will then issue a verdict.
Darshan, his partner Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others were taken into custody on June 11, 2024, for the alleged kidnapping and brutal murder of Renukaswamy, a fan from Chitradurga. Renukaswamy reportedly sent offensive messages to Pavithra Gowda, which enraged Darshan.
The actor was later transferred to Ballari Prison after reports surfaced regarding his supposed 'royal treatment' at Bengaluru Central Prison. He currently faces three FIRs related to the case. A comprehensive 3,991-page charge sheet was submitted to the court on September 4, 2024, along with an additional document.
Darshan was released from custody on October 30, 2024, after spending 131 days behind bars. Following an appeal by the Karnataka Police, the Supreme Court revoked the bail, leading to the re-arrest of Darshan, his partner Pavithra Gowda, and the others.
Sources indicate that Pavithra Gowda engaged in competition with Darshan's wife, Vijayalaxmi, over luxury items such as jewelry and cars. She reportedly pressured Darshan to appear publicly with her after he was seen with his wife.
Spats between Pavithra Gowda and Vijayalaxmi on social media resulted in Darshan's fans taking sides and attacking one of the women. Renukaswamy, who supported Vijayalaxmi, allegedly sent derogatory messages to Pavithra Gowda, which ultimately led to his violent death, as per police investigations.