Kannada actor Pavithra Gowda, the prime accused in the murder of Renukaswamy, was released from Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison on Tuesday, December 17, following conditional bail granted by the Karnataka High Court. Actor Darshan Thoogudeepa’s associate and five others also received bail in connection with the case.

Details of the Case

Renukaswamy, a Chitradurga native, was found dead near a stormwater drain in Bengaluru on June 9. He had allegedly sent obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda. The investigation revealed that he was lured to a shed in RR Nagar under the pretext of meeting Darshan, where he was tortured and killed on June 8.

Legal Developments

  • Darshan, previously granted interim bail for medical reasons, completed bail formalities on December 16.
  • The other accused include R Nagaraju, Anu Kumar, Lakshman M, Jagadeesh, and Pradoosh S Rao.

Police Reaction

Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda announced that efforts are underway to challenge the High Court’s bail order. A proposal will be submitted to appeal the decision in the Supreme Court.