Overview
- All 17 accused pleaded not guilty, with Pavithra Gowda named as the first accused and identified in court as a principal conspirator.
- Judge I. P. Naik cleared an overcrowded courtroom and warned proceedings could be held in-camera if order is not maintained.
- Charges read in court allege the victim was kidnapped to a Bengaluru shed, beaten with slippers and a wooden plank, and fatally assaulted.
- The prosecution said Darshan assaulted the victim after forcing him to remove his pants, while some co-accused were allegedly offered money to falsely take the blame.
- Investigators cited CCTV and call timelines, recovered photos, and FSL findings of blood on Darshan’s clothes; the accused were returned to judicial custody pending the Nov. 10 start of trial.