Renukaswamy murder case: Bengaluru court frames criminal charges against 17 including actor Darshan, Pavithra Gowda

A Bengaluru court on November 3 framed various criminal charges against Kannada actor Darshan Thogudeepa, Pavithra Gowda and 15 others accused of playing a role in the Renukaswamy murder case.

Judge IP Naik of the 56th Additional City Civil and Sessions Court framed the charges against the accused, who were present in court during the proceedings and denied the allegations against them.

The criminal charges framed against the accused include criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, rioting with deadly weapons, kidnapping for murder and causing the disappearance of evidence.

The case will proceed to trial from November 10 since all the accused have pleaded not guilty.

The case concerns the death of 33-year-old auto-driver Renukaswamy, whose dead body was found on June 9, 2024.

It is alleged that he died owing to injuries sustained in an attack carried out on instructions by Kannada actor Darshan Thogudeepa, after he (Renukaswamy) sent lewd messages to Darshan's partner, Pavithra Gowda.

The police have alleged that Renukaswamy was kidnapped and taken to a workshop where he was brutally assaulted for several hours.

Darshan and his associates allegedly beat Renukaswamy with sticks, pipes, and a belt, causing fatal head and chest injuries. Darshan and Pavithra stayed in constant contact during the crime, the prosecution further claims.

The criminal case in the matter was registered by the Kamakshipalya police station. Pavithra Gowda and Darshan were arrested in June 2024.

In December 2024, the Karnataka High Court granted bail to Pavithra Gowda, Darshan, and five others. However, the Supreme Court cancelled their bail on August 14, 2025, and they were taken back into custody. More recently, on September 3, 2025, the Bengaluru Sessions Court rejected a fresh bail plea filed by Pavithra Gowda.