Darshan, his girlfriend Pavithra Gowda & wife Vijayalakshmi: The Renukaswamy murder that shook Karnataka

BENGALURU: High-profile and renowned Kannada actor Darshan, his wife Vijayalakshmi, girlfriend Pavithra Gowda and the murder of pharmacist Renukaswamy – this has all the recipe to be an all-time classic Sandalwood crime thriller, but this is a real-life incident.
Sandalwood actor Darshan, along with his girlfriend Gowda, are prime accused in the murder of pharmacist Renukaswamy.His wife is also allegedly involved. The sensational murder caught the attention of the whole country, not only due to the actors involved but also due to the Darshan relations with his wife and girlfriend.

A gruesome murder
Renukaswamy was tortured, given electric shocks and brutally thrashed.
Darshan couldn't stand lewd messages the pharmacist was sending to his girlfriend. After Renukaswamy died and his body was dumped, the actor then performed pooja at his wife's home and his slippers were also found there.
'The intention was not to kill?'
Apart from the media buzz around the murder, legal fraternity feels that whether there was an intention to kill or not, the case falls under the sixth exception of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
“Whether there was an intention to kill or not, the case falls under the sixth exception of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. There is a clear component of aggression. It is not an offence where the bail can be denied,” a senior lawyer opines.
“When the accused seek bail, it is his or her version that will be a major component. The prosecution version will not be there as the investigating officer will be still collecting material. We cannot comment on when he will get bail as it will become sub judice. Since the sections booked against the accused is life imprisonment or death penalty, chances of getting the bail till the charge sheet is difficult as the accused is influential and there is a possibility of tampering of the evidence. What also matters is whether the accused part of the crime or conspiracy or both. In Renukaswamy murder case, there’s a prima facie case against the accused and it will be difficult to get bail,” says another lawyer.
Darshan assaulted his wife
Firstly, let's revisit September 9, 2011. On this date, Darshan was arrested by Vijayanagar police on charges of allegedly assaulting his wife, Vijayalakshmi. He faced charges of attempted murder and domestic violence, was remanded to judicial custody and subsequently released on bail.

Pavithra Gowda, who describes herself as a "fashion designer, model, artist, and managing director of a boutique," became well-known in Sandalwood through her close connection with Darshan.
As Darshan's family issues became public and his conflicts with his wife Vijayalakshmi intensified, Pavithra stepped in to provide emotional support, which eventually led to their close relationship, according to an industry insider.
Role played by Pavithra
Pavithra reportedly told her associate, Pavan K, about the messages and requested him to identify the sender. Pavan discovered that the messages were from Renukaswamy in Chitradurga. Following Darshan's orders, Pavan, who worked for Pavithra, relayed the information to him. As per Pavan’s confession, Darshan instructed his men to abduct Renukaswamy and bring him to Bengaluru.
Vijayalakshmi can be a witness
The discovery of actor Darshan's shoes at his wife Vijayalakshmi's flat has added a new angle to the Renukaswamy murder investigation. Darshan allegedly wore these shoes during the fatal beating on June 8.
A senior police officer said that after disposing of Renukaswamy's body early on June 9, Darshan visited Vijayalakshmi's Hoskerehalli flat annd then traveled to Mysuru, where he was arrested on June 11.
Vijayalakshmi was questioned for almost five hours at the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station about her knowledge of the kidnap and murder, Darshan's visit, and the presence of his shoes. She provided all necessary answers and her statement was recorded.
Darshan's costume assistant, Raju, had given Vijayalakshmi some of Darshan's clothes, shoes, and other belongings after the incident. Vijayalakshmi may be considered a witness rather than an accomplice in harboring evidence.

Actor and filmmaker Upendra took to X and said, "The investigation which has been going on for the past few days is not only being watched in Karnataka but across India. Awaiting impartial decision and justice in the trial of this high-profile case. Justice for the woman who lost her husband (Renukaswamy) should be rendered. In any case, video footage of the trial and all details of witnesses should be shared by police with the families of persons concerned from time to time. It should become a law."

Actor and producer Gowrishankar posted on Instagram: "Whatever be the reason, if there is cruelty enough to beat and kill a man, what a vile mentality they must have."
Actor-turned-politician BC Patil said: "Banning Darshan is not the solution. A fair probe into the murder and justice for the deceased's family are of utmost important now."

Director Ram Gopal Varma tweeted: "A film maker is supposed to start shoot only after the screenplay is finalised but lots of times makers still are writing when shooting is going on but in DARSHAN ‘s murder case the screenplay started getting written after the film already released

"A star using one die hard fan to kill another die hard fan who was interfering in his personal life is a fit example of the bizarreness of the star worship syndrome ..Fans wanting to order how their stars should run their lives is a unavoidable side effect of the same syndrome." he said.

Police recovered a device used to give electric shocks to S Renukaswamy from Dhanaraj, also known as Raju. Dhanaraj had been avoiding arrest since June 10, when four people falsely claimed they killed Renukaswamy and surrendered. With help from his family and friends, Dhanaraj surrendered on Sunday in Rajarajeshwarinagar.
The device seized from him was identified as a megger, an instrument used to test insulation resistance. According to a senior police officer, Dhanaraj was called by the assailants to bring this device during the assault on Renukaswamy.
Renukaswamy was severely beaten for four hours on Saturday afternoon at a vehicle parking yard in Pattanagere near RR Nagar. The autopsy showed many injuries including heavy bleeding in the abdomen, head trauma, and injuries to various body parts. A mini truck (Ashok Leyland Dost) seized from the yard was linked to the assault, and items like wooden logs, a belt, and a rope stained with blood were found at the scene.
These items have been sent to a forensic lab for analysis as part of the investigation.