Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, a key accused in the abduction, assault, and murder of Renuka Swamy in June last year, was spotted attending a special screening of his latest film Vamana in Bengaluru on Tuesday evening—just hours after he missed a court appearance, citing back pain.
His legal team claimed that the actor was experiencing a recurrence of a back issue he reportedly suffered during his time in Bellary prison last year. At that time, he had refused treatment at a local facility and insisted on being transferred to a hospital in Bengaluru. He was later granted bail on medical grounds and admitted to a private hospital in the city.
The court, upon learning of Thoogudeepa’s absence, expressed its displeasure and issued a stern warning: he must attend all future hearings without fail. During the proceedings, the actor also requested the return of Rs75 lakh in cash that was seized from his residence during the investigation.
Meanwhile, all other co-accused, including Thoogudeepa’s partner Pavithra Gowda, were present in court. All the accused had been granted bail last year under the condition that they appear for every court session.
Thoogudeepa and the others stand accused of orchestrating the abduction, torture, and murder of Renuka Swamy, whose body was discovered near a stormwater drain in Bengaluru. The alleged motive was Swamy’s derogatory social media posts and obscene messages directed at Pavithra Gowda. In total, 17 individuals have been charged in the case.
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Controversy over actor Darshan’s alleged Payments
Investigators suspect Thoogudeepa paid as much as Rs50 lakh to individuals involved in planning and carrying out the crime. This reportedly included Rs30 lakh to a man identified as Pradosh (alias Pawan) for managing the logistics of the abduction, murder, and disposal of the body. Two others, Nikhil and Keshavamurthy, allegedly received ₹5 lakh each for their involvement in the killing and disposal of Swamy’s remains.
Additionally, police believe Rs5 lakh was promised to the families of Raghavendra and Karthik, who allegedly gave false confessions and served time in prison in place of Thoogudeepa, Gowda, and other accused.
Controversy Over actor Darshan’s VIP Treatment in Jail
Darshan was arrested in June 2023 and was granted regular bail by the Karnataka High Court in December. However, his time in custody sparked public outrage after images surfaced from Parappana Agrahara Central Jail, showing him lounging on a lawn and smoking a cigarette—raising questions about preferential treatment.
The photos, along with videos suggesting a relaxed prison experience, prompted an official inquiry. Following the controversy, he was transferred to another facility before being released on bail.
