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All 17 accused pleaded innocent, paving the way for the trial to begin on 10 November.
The courtroom was packed during the proceedings here, due to which Judge IP Naik had to express his displeasure over the crowd.
”How can charges be framed here with so many people?” he remarked, directing the lawyers not involved in the case to leave.
The judge also warned that if the order was not followed the hearing would be adjourned – or even conducted in camera.
Once peace was restored, the court began reading out the charges, starting with the first accused, Pavitra Gowda.
The charges include murder, criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful assembly.
According to the charge sheet, Renukaswamy had allegedly sent obscene messages to Pavitra, following which she was kidnapped, brought to a shed in Bengaluru and assaulted.
“He was beaten with slippers and a wooden board, causing fatal injuries,” the judge said while reading the charges.
The prosecution alleged that Pavitra attacked Renukaswamy with slippers, while Darshan attacked her after forcing her to remove his pants, leading to his death. The court also said that some of the accused were allegedly offered money to take the blame.
After all 17 accused refused to plead guilty, the court completed the formal signing of the charge documents.
Then Darshan, Pavitra and seven other accused were taken back to jail.
The next hearing is scheduled for November 10, marking the beginning of the trial.