Nearly a month after being granted interim bail for six weeks to undergo treatment for backache, Kannada actor and murder-accused Darshan Thoogudeepa has yet to undergo spinal surgery. On Thursday, November 28, his counsel informed the Karnataka High Court that a "total variation in his blood pressure" had delayed the procedure. Darshan, an accused in the murder of Renukaswamy, was granted interim bail for six weeks on October 30.
Darshan’s plea for regular bail is being heard by Justice Vishwajith S Shetty. Senior advocate CV Nagesh, appearing for Darshan, sought regular bail while challenging witness testimonies in the case. Nagesh argued that the statement of one witness did not directly implicate Darshan or indicate that he was present at the scene of the alleged assault.
In response to queries about Darshan’s interim bail and medical condition, Nagesh said, “He has been subject to an MRI test and is being treated with medications. Surgery has been delayed due to blood pressure variations, and it is ultimately for the doctors to decide.”
At this, the judge orally observed that the certificates they had produced till date did not indicate any difficulty because of Darshan’s health conditions for surgery.
Darshan is accused of orchestrating the abduction and murder of Renukaswamy, who was reportedly abducted and tortured in a shed in Pattanagere area of Bengaluru before being found dead in a drain in Sumanahalli. The 3,991-page charge sheet filed by police on September 4 details extreme abuse, including electric shocks that led to shock and haemorrhage.
Renukaswamy allegedly sent offensive messages on social media to Darshan’s partner, Pavitra Gowda. Darshan, arrested on June 11, was in judicial custody for over four months before being granted interim bail. Prime accused Pavitra Gowda’s bail plea is being heard by the court.