Karnataka Film Body Refuses To Ban Darshan's Films Amid Renuka Swamy Murder Case, Calls It 'Illegal'

The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has refused to ban actor Darshan, who is currently being probed in the Renuka Swamy murder case. On Thursday, the film body held a meeting and reiterated that it will wait for the police to conclude its investigations to take any action against Darshan.

“But we have decided to send a delegation to visit the family of the victim, Renukaswamy,” said veteran producer N M Suresh, president of KFCC after the meeting.

This was not the first time that KFCC held a meeting to decide on Darshan. Previously, the film body held another meeting and said that actors cannot be banned from the film industry like this because it would be “illegal”.

Interestingly, this comes a day after Swamy’s parents were interacting with the media in Bengaluru when they demanded justice for their son and called for a ban on Darshan in the film industry. “God should give Darshan enlightenment not to hurt anyone like my son in future. My son’s wife is pregnant. I am retired and how is she supposed to lead her life?” Swamy’s father, Shivanagouda said.

Darshan is being probed for his alleged link to the Renuka Swamy murder case. The actor was arrested by the Bengaluru police from Mysuru on June 11 following which he was sent to 6-day police custody.

Renuka Swamy was found dead at Sumanahalli Bridge in Bengaluru on June 8, 2024. He used to reportedly work at an Apollo Pharmacy branch in Chitradurga. Previously, police officials claimed that Renuka used to send vulgar messages to Kannada actress Pavithra Gowad, a friend of Darshan. Angry about this, Renuka Swamy was murdered and his dead body was allegedly thrown in a canal at Kamaksshipalya, Bengaluru in front of Darshan. Reportedly, eight of the accused have implicated Darshan, claiming his presence during Renuka Swamy’s assault.

On Thursday, Karnataka police officials claimed that Darshan and his aides beat Renuka Swamy with sticks and threw him against the wall which led to his death. “It was Pavithra who instigated Darshan to punish Renukaswamy. Accordingly, the plan was hatched,” sources claimed.

15 people have been arrested in the case so far including Darshan and his close actress-friend Pavithra. On Thursday afternoon, Darshan’s co-star Pradosh and close aide Nagaraj were also arrested. Police sources claim that Nagaraj was looking after all the dealings of Darshan. He was reportedly also looking after Darshan’s farmhouse in Mysuru and was on the run ever since police arrested the actor earlier this week. Meanwhile, details about Pradosh’s connection to the murder case are not known as of now.