Soujanya Case - Dharmasthala: Did Darshan Back Protesters Seeking The Justice? Here’s The Truth

Soujanya Murder Case: The Soujanya murder case has once again become a subject of widespread discussion, particularly following the circulation of an AI-generated video that accuses Dharmasthala's influential Heggade family of involvement.

The video, which went viral, has garnered over two crore views, prompting renewed public interest and calls for justice. Protestors, including activist Girish Mattannavar, have spoken to multiple YouTube channels, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.

Amidst the ongoing debate, rumors emerged on social media suggesting that Kannada actor Challenging Star Darshan had extended support to Soujanya's family. An image purportedly showing his endorsement gained traction online, fueling speculation due to his widespread influence. However, these claims are unverified, as the actor has not made any public statement regarding the case.

Soujanya Case

17-year-old Soujanya, a second-year Pre-University student from Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College, was brutally murdered near the Nethravathi River on October 9, 2012. Santhosh Rao was the sole accused in the case and he was acquitted by a Bengaluru Sessions Court on June 16, 2023, as there was no credible evidence to prove his involvement. However, her family has accused the influential Veerendra Heggde family of protecting the real culprits.

Hence, there has been protests across Dakshina Kannada seeking justice for the victim. Last week, a video of YouTuber Sameer on the topic went viral.

Darshan Back to Shooting

Meanwhile, Kannada actor Darshan has resumed shooting for his upcoming movie Devil, marking 274 days since his arrest in the Renuka Swamy murder case and 133 days after securing bail. Before joining the film's four-day shoot in Mysuru, Darshan visited the Chamundeshwari Temple.

Darshan was arrested on June 11, 2024, in connection with the murder of Renuka Swamy, who was allegedly killed by the actor's aides for sending inappropriate messages to Darshan's associate, Pavithra Gowda. The case led to the arrest of 17 individuals, including Darshan and Pavithra, after Swamy's body was discovered in a drainage in Kamakshi Palya.

At present, the Soujanya case continues to attract public scrutiny, with renewed demands for a deeper investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.