Actor Darshan skips court hearing citing back pain but attends film event
The next day after skipping the court hearing, the actor was spotted at a special screening of his movie, 'Vamana', in Bengaluru. The court pulls up the actor
Karnataka actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is a key accused in the kidnap, assault, and murder of Chitradurga resident, Renuka Swamy, in June last year – skipped a court hearing on Tuesday (April 8) citing back pain.
However, the very next day on Wednesday, the actor was spotted at a special three-hour screening of his latest movie, 'Vamana', in Bengaluru.
A Bengaluru court, however, conveyed its displeasure at the Kannada actor Darshan’s absence during the hearing in the ongoing murder case, where he is one of the key accused.
Recurring back pain
The Civil and Sessions Judge, who is hearing the case, warned that they will not entertain any more exemptions and ordered that Darshan must be present for all future hearings.
Also read: Actor Darshan thanks fans for supporting him during his time in jail
His lawyers had claimed that the actor was suffering from recurring back pain that had cropped up while he was at prison in Bellary last year. At that time, he had refused to be treated at a local hospital and demanded to be taken to Bengaluru.
Days later, he got bail on medical grounds and was admitted to a city hospital.
The other 16 accused in this case, which includes Darshan’s partner, Pavithra Gowda, were present in court. The bail was given to the accused last year on the condition that they attend every court date.
Also read: Renukaswamy murder: SC refuses to cancel bail of actor Darshan, others
The gruesome crime
The victim’s body was discovered near a stormwater drain in Bengaluru on June 9. 17 people were charged in the crime.
According to reports, the police said that Thoogudeepa may have paid nearly Rs 50 lakh to four men involved in the planning and execution of the gruesome crime. This included bringing Renuka Swamy from Chitradurga district to Bengaluru, which is 200 km away.
Also read: Electric shocks given in private parts, says chargesheet against Darshan in murder case
Out of the Rs 50 lakh, Rs 30 lakh was given to a man called Pradosh (alias Pawan) to handle the abduction and murder and for disposing off the body. Two others, Nikhil and Keshavamurthy were given Rs 5 lakh each for their roles in the murder and dumping the body.
Also, the police learnt that Rs 5 lakh was to be paid to two men, Raghavendra and Karthik for submitting false confessions and going to prison in place of Darshan, Gowda, and the others.
Jail controversy
Thoogudeepa, who was arrested in June last year, got regular bail in December from the Karnataka high court. Earlier, he was caught in a controversy when photographs of him from inside the Bengaluru prison, smoking a cigarette while lounging on a lawn, went viral.
An inquiry was ordered and the actor was shifted to another prison before he got released on bail.