Kannada film actor Darshan Thoogudeepa has once again sparked controversy after he failed to appear before a Bengaluru court on April 8 in connection with the high-profile murder case of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor.
Despite being out on bail, the 47-year-old actor did not attend the scheduled court hearing, citing health issues, including back pain. His legal team filed a petition seeking exemption from personal appearance, but the court rejected it, firmly stating that no excuses would be accepted and that his presence was mandatory.
While Darshan was absent from the courtroom, several other accused in the case, including his close associate and co-accused Pavithra Gowda, did appear before the judge. However, what drew widespread attention and criticism was Darshan’s public appearance later that same evening.
Videos and photographs circulated on social media showed the actor attending a private screening of the Kannada film Vamana, starring his friend Dhanveer Gowda, at a mall in Bengaluru. The screening, reportedly organised exclusively for Darshan, lasted nearly three hours.
Of particular concern was the presence of actor Chikkanna at the event, as he is one of the key witnesses in the ongoing murder case.
Darshan’s interaction with Chikkanna could be considered a violation of his bail conditions, which strictly prohibit any contact with witnesses involved in the case. This development has raised serious legal questions about whether Darshan has breached the terms of his bail.
Darshan was arrested on June 11, 2024, for his alleged involvement in the brutal killing of Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga. The victim’s body was found near a stormwater drain on the outskirts of Bengaluru, bearing multiple injuries. Investigations revealed that the actor was allegedly angered after Renukaswamy sent obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda.
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Darshan is accused of orchestrating the abduction and subsequent murder of the victim, who was reportedly killed inside a parking shed. Efforts by the actor to cover up the crime, including attempts to bribe others to falsely confess, failed to succeed.
Following his arrest, Darshan spent over four months in judicial custody before being granted interim bail on October 30, 2024, by the Karnataka High Court to undergo spine surgery.
As part of his bail conditions, he was required to surrender his passport and furnish a personal bond of ₹2 lakh along with two sureties. Later, on December 13, 2024, he and several other accused were granted regular bail.
Darshan’s absence from court and his appearance at a public event in the company of a prosecution witness could now lead to further legal complications, potentially endangering his bail status as the trial in this high-profile case continues.
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