No Conspiracy To Murder Deceased: Co-Accused Pavitra Gowda Tells Karnataka High Court In Renukaswamy Murder Case

Pavitra Gowda–a co-accused in the Renukaswamy Murder case along with Kannada Actor Darshan Thoogudeepa Srinivas–while seeking bail told the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday (December 3) that there was no conspiracy entered into between the accused to murder the deceased.

Counsel for Gowda who is Accused no 1 in the case submitted before Justice S Vishwajith Shetty that “On the cumulative effect of assault by many the deceased may have died. There is no conspiracy. Petitioner is not party to any conspiracy, either for abduction or causing injuries to the deceased”. 

Elaborating on her role as alleged by the prosecution the counsel contended that Gowda was not involved in the assault and was not present in the shed at Raja Rajeshwari Nagar. Her counsel said, “From February 2, he (deceased) had been sending foul messages to her and she has been hurt.”

Further praying to be released on bail her counsel submitted that, “She is a woman does not have any prior antecedents. This was a stray incident that happened. There is no prima facie case having been committed by the petitioner. She has a daughter who is studying in the 9th standard. Petitioner may be extended benefit of bail, considering her case separate from other accused”. 

Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam appearing for accused no 12, contended that the only allegation against this petitioner is that by hand he has assaulted the deceased. He pointed out that the prosecution has not conducted proper investigation during the Golden Hour after the alleged incident. There is inordinate delay in conducting Post mortem, recording of statement of witnesses and delay in seizure of materials.”

He also pleaded that the accused is not part of any conspiracy. Material in chargesheet also does not show any common intention to murder or any conspiracy.

It was pointed out by him that the prosecution has cited 260 witnesses who are to be examined. Therefore, the trial cannot be concluded in the near future so it can be a ground to grant bail.

Another counsel for accused no 4–who brought the deceased from Chitradurga to Bangalore where he allegedly was assaulted, raised similar contentions about there being no intent to murder. "The instructions from A-4 to A-6 and A-7 as stated in the statements were only to secure the physical presence of the deceased from Chitradurga and bring him to Bangalore," the counsel said. 

To a query by the court whether the accused had conversed with Accused no 2- Darshan before bringing the deceased to the shed. The counsel said, “Conversation is only with A-3 milord.”

The prosecution will begin its submissions on Friday. 

Darshan and 16 others have been charged for offences punishable under Section 120B, (Conspiracy), 201 (destruction of evidence), 364 (Abduction/kidnapping), 302 (murder) and Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

Case Title: Darshan v. State of Karnataka

Case No: CRL.P 11096/2024