Bengaluru:
In a big relief to Kannada actor Darshan, an accused in the Ranukaswamy murder case, the Karnataka High Court on Friday allowed him to travel across the country.
Earlier, Darshan was not allowed to travel out of Bengaluru and the limits of the session’s court.
Darshan’s counsel said as the Supreme Court is also looking into the case, his client has to travel to Delhi and other places.
Special Public Prosecutor Prasanna Kumar argued that the bail was sought by Darshan citing health reasons and now he wants to travel all across the country.
However, the court allowed Darshan to travel across the country.
Darshan, his partner Pavithra Gowda and 15 other accused appeared before the Bengaluru local court on February 25 as per the bail conditions. However, other accused claimed they were being “pressured” by police to turn approvers.
Advocate Sunil, appearing for the other accused, submitted to the court that police were “pressuring” his clients to become approvers.
“The case should be fought on merit by the police, there should not be pressure,” he said.
The court further said that if the petition is filed in this regard, it can be taken up. The court adjourned the matter to April 8.
Darshan, Pavithra, and 15 others were arrested on June 11, 2024, on charges of kidnapping and brutally murdering Renukaswamy, a fan from Chitradurga.
Renukaswamy had allegedly sent derogatory and obscene messages to Pavithra, angry over the fact that Darshan maintained a relationship with her despite being married.
Darshan was released from prison on October 30, 2024, after spending 131 days in custody.
Sources close to Darshan revealed that Pavithra competed with Darshan’s wife, Vijayalaxmi, over jewellery and luxury cars.
She allegedly pressured Darshan to make public appearances with her after he had been seen with his wife.
Pavithra and Vijayalaxmi also had public spats via social media posts, which led Darshan’s fans to take sides.
Renukaswamy, who supported Vijayalaxmi, criticised Pavithra, which ultimately led to his brutal death, according to police findings.
The Karnataka Police have challenged the bail granted to Darshan and others in the Supreme Court. The Top Court on January 24 had issued notice to Darshan, Pavithra and five others in connection with the appeal petition filed by the Karnataka government challenging an order that granted bail in connection with a sensational fan murder case.
While granting bail, the court asked him and other accused in the case to appear before it every month.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
