Bengaluru Police has temporarily suspended the gun licence of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa who is currently out on bail in connection with the murder of his fan. The move follows a request by Rajarajeshwari Nagar police station, citing concerns that Darshan, an accused in the case, misuse the firearm to intimidate witnesses, as per a report on The Hindustan Times.
The licensing authority, led by the City Police Commissioner, issued a notice to Darshan seeking an explanation regarding his firearm licence. After reviewing his response, the decision to suspend the licence was finalised. The actor has been instructed to deposit his firearm at the jurisdictional RR Nagar police station, the Commissioner confirmed on Tuesday.
Darshan had previously contested the revocation of his gun licence emphasising his need for personal protection due to his celebrity status. Responding to a notice issued by DCP Padmini Sahu on January 7, he stated that he had hired a private security he may require gun licence for personal protection as he attracted a larger crowd wherever he went, as per a report on India Today.
The suspension comes amidst the ongoing legal proceedings against Darshan and his partner, Pavithra Gowda. The duo were granted bail by the Karnataka High Court on December 13, 2024. As per the bail conditions, the accused are prohibited from leaving the court's jurisdiction and from contacting or intimidating witnesses.
The case against the duo involves the alleged murder of Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old auto driver from Chitradurga. His body was found near a stormwater drain in Bengaluru on June 9, 2024. Investigations showed that Renukaswamy had sent inappropriate messages to Pavithra Gowda, which led to a fight that resulted in his death. Darshan and Pavithra were arrested on June 11, 2024, for their alleged roles in the case.
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