Did the Karnataka HC Really Grant Bail to Darshan's Fans for Sending Vulgar Messages to Ramya?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Karnataka HC grants bail to Darshan's fans accused of online harassment.
- Serious allegations include threats of sexual violence and murder.
- Ramya filed a complaint against numerous social media accounts.
- Ongoing investigation with additional suspects still at large.
- Public outcry highlights need for accountability in online abuse cases.
Bengaluru, Oct 10 (NationPress) The Karnataka High Court on Friday granted bail to five fans of actor Darshan, who were detained for disseminating obscene messages to Kannada actress and former Congress MP Ramya. This incident followed her expression of sympathy towards the family of his fan Renukaswamy, who was reportedly brutally murdered by the actor and others.
Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar, while granting bail, acknowledged that the charge sheet has been filed in this matter and that the petitioners' presence is unnecessary for further investigation.
The accused were instructed to submit a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh each and were also required to provide a surety who would be responsible for the same amount.
Those released include K. Manjunath, C.Y. Manjunath, T. Obanna, K. Pramod, and Chinmay Shetty. The court has also provided anticipatory bail to another accused, Vikas B.A.
Defense attorneys argued that the accused are young followers of Darshan and that since the offense occurred online, there is no risk of compromising the investigation. They also highlighted that most investigative work has been completed and that the complainant, actress Ramya, is a powerful figure, thus negating any potential threat to her.
The prosecution countered, asserting that the accused face serious allegations of threatening sexual violence and murder.
On Thursday, the Karnataka Police filed a charge sheet against 12 individuals regarding the vulgar messages directed at Ramya, following her sympathy for the victim's family in the fan murder case. All accused are fans of Darshan, who is the second accused in the murder case alongside his partner, Pavithra Gowda, who is the primary accused. Both are currently incarcerated in Bengaluru Central Jail.
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Bengaluru Unit submitted a comprehensive 380-page charge sheet to the 45th Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Court, which included screenshots of the messages and comments made on social media.
The charge sheet also features Ramya's statement and confessions from the accused. Although charges have been filed against 12 individuals, authorities are still on the lookout for six additional suspects.
The police indicated that an additional charge sheet will be presented once the remaining suspects are apprehended. Among the 12 arrested, four remain in custody while the others have been granted bail.
The court is anticipated to commence the trial soon.
Darshan's fans targeted Ramya after she posted about the fan murder case, demanding justice. The accused even issued threats of sexual violence against her.
Ramya filed a police report against 43 social media accounts, lodging her complaint with Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh on July 28. This was prompted by the obscene and defamatory messages following her comments on the fan murder case.
In her complaint, Ramya stated: "The disgruntled fans of actor Darshan, reacting to my sharing of news about the Supreme Court proceedings, have inundated my Instagram with scandalous, grotesque, and offensive messages through various accounts. The content of these messages is so repulsive and misogynistic that I cannot even disclose it in this complaint."
The Film Industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE) organization has submitted a letter to Home Minister G. Parameshwara, demanding swift action against the vulgar and misogynistic abuse directed at Ramya on social media.
In response to the offensive messages and videos posted by Darshan's fans, the Karnataka State Women’s Commission has also urged the Bengaluru Police Commissioner to take appropriate action in this matter.