As complaints against actor Darshan Thoogudeepa’s fans rise, Bengaluru police act

Chethan was arrested in Bengaluru and booked under sections 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Darshan’s friend Pavithra Gowda managed to act in a few movies, such as Preethi Kithabhu and Chatrigalu Sir Chatrigalu, that did not make much noise in the box office.(Instagram/Pavithra Gowda)

A senior police officer said that many Darshan fans have been abusing and threatening those who post content against the actor or those who have been arrested in the case. “We have received many complaints. Kannada film actor Pratham who had received death threats has also registered a case. We are now scanning social media to identify those who are issuing death threats. In some cases, we have found that witnesses in the case were also threatened,” the officer said.

A video where Chethan is purportedly heard apologising for his remarks has also gone viral. “We want to send a message to those who are virtually issuing threats and abusing on social media platforms. They have gone to the extent to show honest police officers in a bad light on social media. We will book those who go overboard,” the officer added.

Darshan, who has acted in nearly 50 Kannada movies and is referred to as ‘Box Office Sultan’ because of his many hits, has a massive fan base in Karnataka. On June 11, Darshan, his friend Pavithra Gowda and 11 others were arrested in connection with the murder of his fan Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga.

According to the police, Renukaswamy was allegedly murdered because he had sent abusive messages and photos to Gowda on Instagram. Seventeen people have been arrested in the case so far and all are currently in judicial custody.