Bengaluru: Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, currently embroiled in allegations of murder, is known to have anger issues, according to his co-star Anusha Rai. In a recent interview, Rai expressed disbelief over the accusations against Darshan, describing him as a humble and caring individual despite his temperamental nature.
"He has anger issues, but he is also very humble and good. He doesn't get angry about everything. People talk to him carefully. When I speak to him, I keep within my limits. Darshan has openly admitted in interviews that he has anger issues," Anusha Rai told Hindustan Times.
Rai also mentioned that she was unaware of Darshan's relationship with Pavithra Gowda, another co-star, who has been named the main accused in the case.
Earlier this week, Rai expressed concern on Instagram for Darshan's wife and 15-year-old son, who have been facing hate comments online. She pointed out that Darshan has not been convicted and urged the public to let the law take its course.
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The controversy stems from the alleged murder of Renuka Swamy, a 33-year-old resident of Chitradurga, Karnataka. Swamy was reportedly kidnapped from his home on June 8 and later found dead in a drain in Bengaluru. His post mortem report revealed 15 wounds and concluded that he died of shock and hemorrhage.
Darshan was arrested two days after the incident from his Mysuru farmhouse. Pavithra Gowda is also in custody in connection with the case. The allegations claim that Darshan and his fans tortured and killed Swamy after he posted lewd comments about Gowda.
Actor Sanjjanaa Galrani, who has worked with Darshan, described him as a "demigod figure" in the Kannada film industry and called his arrest a "black day" for the artists. Defending Darshan, Galrani stated that he was a "soft-spoken gentleman" with a respectful and gentle nature, contrasting sharply with the person portrayed in the news.
"The person being spoken about in the news and the person that I know feel like two different personalities," Galrani had stated.
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Madikeri (Karnataka) (PTI): Four people were arrested for allegedly assaulting, illegally confining and attempting to extort money from a 39-year-old businessman who was lured through a honeytrap set up on social media, police said on Monday.
The accused have been identified as Rachana, Malati, Darshan and Ravi.
Police said efforts are underway to nab the remaining suspects involved in the incident, which occurred on December 12 in Madikeri, the district headquarters of Kodagu.
According to the complaint, the victim, a resident of Maddur taluk in Mandya district, was befriended by a woman identified as Rachana through Facebook, who later sought financial assistance and received Rs 5,000 from him via PhonePe on November 28.
When he asked her to return the money, the woman allegedly asked him to travel to Mysuru or Kushalnagar, promising to meet him.
The police said the woman later called the victim to Madikeri on December 12 and took him to a house near the market area, where they spent some time and consumed alcohol in the evening.
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Later that night, citing an emergency, the woman left the house. After her departure, three men allegedly broke into the house and attacked the victim, assaulting him with a stick and the handle of a sword, causing injuries to his face, mouth, chest and leg, the FIR stated.
The complainant alleged that he was forcibly confined, stripped and a nude video of him was recorded. The accused also allegedly threatened him with a toy gun, demanding Rs 50 lakh and warning that the video would be uploaded on social media if the money was not paid.
Police said the victim was held captive and somehow managed to escape in the early hours of December 13. However, after he escaped, the accused allegedly attempted to kidnap him in an autorickshaw, an incident that was captured on CCTV cameras.
Based on his complaint at the Madikeri Town police station, a case was registered under Sections 310(2) (dacoity), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, a senior police officer said.
“Four accused, including two women, have been arrested. Efforts are on to nab two more absconding accused. Further investigation is on,” he added.
