Charges framed against actor Darshan, others in Renukaswamy murder case
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Bengaluru (PTI): A Sessions Court on Monday formally framed charges, including murder and kidnapping, against Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, his associate Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case.
All 17 accused pleaded not guilty, paving the way for the trial to commence on November 10.
The courtroom was packed during the proceedings here, prompting Judge I P Naik to express displeasure over the crowding.
"How can charges be framed with so many people here?" he remarked, instructing lawyers not involved in the case to leave.
The judge also cautioned that the hearing would be postponed—or even held in-camera—if order was not maintained.
Once calm was restored, the court began reading the charges, starting with the first accused, Pavithra Gowda.
The charges included murder, criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, and unlawful assembly.
According to the charge sheet, Renukaswamy had allegedly sent obscene messages to Pavitra, following which he was kidnapped, brought to a shed in Bengaluru, and assaulted.
"He was beaten with slippers and a wooden plank, resulting in fatal injuries," the judge stated while reading the charges.
The prosecution alleged that Pavithra struck Renukaswamy with a slipper, while Darshan assaulted him after forcing him to remove his pants, leading to his death. The court also noted that some accused were allegedly offered money to take the blame.
After all 17 accused declined to plead guilty, the court completed the formal signing of the charge documents.
Darshan, Pavithra, and seven other accused were then escorted back to prison.
The next hearing, marking the beginning of the trial, is scheduled for November 10.
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CM Siddaramaiah labels Kumaraswamy 'Manuvadi" over Bhagavad Gita curriculum push
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday took a swipe at Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, by calling him a "Manuvadi" after his alliance with the BJP, for seeking the inclusion of Bhagavad Gita in curriculum for students.
The CM's dig came in response to Kumaraswamy's recent letter to Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan, requesting the inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita in the curriculum of students.
"After Kumaraswamy joined hands with the BJP for elections, he has become a Manuvadi," Siddaramaiah told reporters here after paying tributes to B R Ambedkar on his 69th death anniversary here.
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Remembering Ambedkar, Siddaramaiah highlighted his contribution to the Constitution and his relentless fight to provide social justice.
The CM noted said fed up with social and caste system in Hinduism, and unable to reform it, Ambedkar accepted Buddhism.
He said, "Ambedkar, towards the end of his life, quit Hinduism and joined Buddhism. He was born in Hinduism, but cannot die in Hinduism, because he could not reform Hinduism, despite several efforts, so he accepted Buddhism."
