Darshan Admits to Assaulting Fan but Claims He Was Unaware of Death Until Later: Charge Sheet

Jailed Kannada superstar Darshan has confessed to assaulting Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor allegedly killed by Darshan and his aides for sending obscene messages to his partner Pavithra Gowda, but claimed that he was informed about the victim's death later, according to his 20-page statement mentioned in the charge sheet filed by the police probing the case.

In the 3,991-page charge sheet submitted before the 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's (ACMM) court on September 4, Darshan has given graphic details of how he attacked Renukaswamy, who was kidnapped and kept in captivity by his gang.

I hit him hard with my hand and kicked him on the head with my leg. Then I called Pavithra Gowda- his partner and a prime accused in the case- and asked her to hit him with her slippers," Darshan said according to the charge sheet.

"Later, I asked Renukaswamy to apologise to her by falling at her feet. Then Renukaswamy fell at Pavithra Gowda's feet. I asked Pradosh to drop Pavithra near the car and told Vinay to drop Pavithra home," the actor's statement read.

"Meanwhile, my driver Lakshman also came there and hit Renukaswamy on the neck and back with his hand. Nandish lifted him and threw him in front of me," he said.

Darshan also told the police that after Renukaswamy had arrived, he asked him whether he really wanted to do all this. He also pointed at Pavithra Gowda and told Renukaswamy that she was the one to whom he sent obscene and derogatory messages.

Pointing towards Renukaswamy, Darshan told Pavithra Gowda that he was the one who tormented her with messages, the actor's statement read.

Accused Pavan took the cell phone of Renukaswamy and read out messages which he had sent to some people.

He also showed everybody the photos on his phone which indicated that Renukaswamy had sent photos and messages to many actresses, Darshan claimed.

"Again I kicked Renukaswamy twice. Then, I went away from the place along with Vinay. While going away, I met Jayanna, the owner of the shed where the incident occurred, and enquired about him. Then, I went straight to my house at Ideal Homes. At about 7.30 pm Pradoosh came home and informed me that Renukaswamy had died. Also, he told me that he would take care about the matter and left," Darshan said.

Later, Nagaraaj and Lakshman also informed me that Renukaswamy was dead. Pradoosh demanded Rs 30 lakh to get out of this issue, which I gave him. Then Vinay demanded Rs 10 lakh and I gave him the money too."

The charge sheet also brought out that Renukaswamy chatted with Pavithra Gowda by creating a fake ID on Instagram by the name Gowtham.

He repeatedly told her that he would send her pictures of his private part and at one point of time, he even claimed that he was better than Darshan, the charge sheet stated.
Judicial custody of Darshan, Pavithra Gowda and 15 other accused in the case has been extended till September 12.