Bengaluru court grants permission to actor Darshan for foreign travel
Bengaluru, May 30 (PTI): A Bengaluru trial court on Friday granted permission to Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa to travel abroad for film shooting between July 1 and July 27.
The 57th City Civil and Sessions Court had earlier reserved its order on Wednesday.
Darshan, currently out on conditional bail, had approached the court under Section 439(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Code, seeking approval to travel to Dubai and Europe.
The actor is the second accused in the murder case of his fan Renukaswamy, which allegedly involves his partner Pavithra and 15 others.
The Special Public Prosecutor strongly opposed the petition, arguing that if Darshan is allowed to leave the country, there is a serious risk he may not return, potentially derailing the trial proceedings.
Following his release on bail, Darshan resumed filming for his upcoming movie 'Devil'.
Although his movements were initially restricted to Bengaluru, he previously obtained court permission to travel within India. This latest plea sought an extension of those permissions to include international travel and the court allowed it on Friday.
Darshan, Pavithra, and others were arrested on June 11, 2024, for allegedly kidnapping and murdering Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old Darshan fan from Chitradurga.
The Karnataka police have challenged the bail granted to Darshan and others in the Supreme Court.
On January 24, 2025, the apex court issued notices to the actor, Pavithra, and five other co-accused, following a state government appeal. As per the bail conditions, Darshan is required to appear before the court every month.
Controversy continues to swirl around the actor, who previously skipped court proceedings citing severe back pain but was later spotted attending a movie premiere alongside actor Chikkanna, a key witness in the case.
On April 8, a Bengaluru court criticised Darshan for his absence, warning that no future excuses would be entertained.
On May 21, the Karnataka police submitted an additional charge sheet against the actor and other accused, further deepening the legal battle.
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UP: Govt hospital staff booked for sexually assaulting woman in pretext of ultrasound test
Gorakhpur (PTI): A hospital employee was booked for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in the pretext of an ultrasound test here in the district women's hospital, police said on Saturday.
According to the complaint, the woman, a resident of the Gulriha area, visited the district women's hospital on Thursday morning for an ultrasound test.
She was directed to a room, where Abhimanyu Gupta was conducting ultrasounds. When her turn came, the accused allegedly stared at her and told her to remove all her clothes, claiming it was necessary for the test and that a massage would also be required, she said.
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The woman alleged that once she complied, the accused began making obscene advances and tried to force himself on her. When she screamed, he allegedly gagged her, abused her and threatened to kill her before pushing her out of the room.
She said her complaints within the hospital went unheard, forcing her to approach the police.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, the hospital administration constituted a three-member inquiry committee, officials said.
Senior consultant (paediatrics) Dr Jay Kumar said, "The woman has levelled serious allegations against a staff member. Senior officials have been informed, and a departmental inquiry is underway. Strict action will be taken if the charges are proved."
Kotwali Station House Officer Chatrapal Singh said a case has been registered, and efforts are on to nab the accused.
