Bengaluru: A new development is emerging on the Renukaswamy murder case and the prime accused Pavithra Gowda (A1) claims that she is under security threat inside the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru. In the hearing of her bail petition before the 59th CCH Court, Pavithra Gowda broke down and asked for a separate barrack, saying she is having troubles while in prison.
The court, which heard arguments for her bail application, postponed further proceedings to September 23. During this time, Pavithra Gowda’s lawyers told the court she is still in a barrack with at least 35 other inmates. Also, some foreign nationals are in the same barrack which is causing some sort of distress to the accused according to the defence, the court said.
Pavithra Gowda has been in extreme mental and physical suffering as a result of the state of the prison environment, her lawyer said in court. The defence also claimed she feels unsafe and is concerned about her safety when in the shared barrack. The lawyers asked the court to make a decision to order the prison authorities to provide her with separate housing at the jail premises.
Pavithra Gowda, who appeared via video conference during the proceedings, was seen to get emotional and appealed to the judge for a separate barrack arrangement, court documents show. The court heard that she claimed the present circumstances were causing great stress and sought intervention from the judiciary.
The 59th CCH Court was in receipt of the concerns raised at this hearing and directed prison authorities to submit a report on the allegations and the current conditions under which Pavithra Gowda is being housed. It will be the court that will consider the report before taking any decision on the issue.
In recent years, the Renukaswamy murder case has been one of the most closely watched criminal investigations in Karnataka because of the high profile of the accused: Kannada actor Darshan, who has been named as Accused No. 2 (A2) in the chargesheet.
The Renukaswamy murder case dates back to June 2024, when Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga, was abducted and taken to a shed in Bengaluru’s Pattangere area. Police believed that the victim was targeted after allegedly sending objectionable messages through Instagram to Pavithra Gowda.
Renukaswamy was subjected to severe attacks before his death, prosecutors said. The crime caused massive outrage in Karnataka and a police investigation was launched. The accused persons were arrested later.
The investigation eventually led to 17 suspects being arrested including Pavithra Gowda and actor Darshan. The case attracted heavy media coverage as the case was reported to be an attempt to make some names of popular Kannada film actors.
The accused have been held and have their legal cases pursued in court. Pavithra Gowda, the central accused in this case identified by the investigators, is on the trial at court and seeking bail. In her legal battle, she has been petitioning higher courts for a release from custody and trial.
The prosecution has continued to oppose bail requests because of the serious nature of the allegations and that the case is still in the judicial system. The matter is being debated now; no decision has been taken on her new plea yet.
The issue relating to prison conditions is now added to the legal process. The court makes no immediate decision on the defence’s assertions, but prison authorities need to give a report so that the claims made during the hearing can be substantiated.
With the matter set for further hearing on September 23, attention will be on the bail plea and the problems raised in Pavithra Gowda’s accommodation and security within the prison. The court will decide on these issues at the next court hearing in the larger Renukaswamy murder case.
