'Pavithra only friend, I'm Darshan's legal wife'

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Vijayalakshmi, the wife of jailed Kannada actor Darshan, has written a letter to Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda, clarifying that she is the only legally wedded wife of the actor and that Pavithra Gowda, the prime accused in a murder case, is just a friend, police sources confirmed on Thursday.

In her letter to Police Commissioner Dayananda, Vijayalakshmi stated, "You made a wrong statement during a press conference, saying Pavithra Gowda is Darshan’s wife. This error was repeated by the Karnataka Home Minister and national media reporting that 'Darshan and wife' were arrested in the Renukaswamy murder case," she wrote.

Vijayalakshmi requested the police commissioner not to mention Pavithra Gowda as Darshan’s wife in police records, as it may cause trouble for her and her son in the future. She emphasized that Pavithra Gowda was married to Sanjay Singh and had a daughter with him, and these facts should be recorded accurately in police records.

"I have full faith in the judiciary and believe the law will take its course. While it is true that Pavithra Gowda is a friend of my husband, she is not his wife. I am the only legally wedded wife of Darshan, and our marriage took place at Dharmasthala, a Hindu pilgrimage centre, on May 19, 2003," she further said.

Darshan, his ‘partner’ Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others were arrested on charges of murdering Renukaswamy, 33, a resident of Chitradurga. 

The probe revealed that Renukaswamy had sent derogatory messages to Pavithra Gowda on social media. The victim was allegedly kidnapped, brought to Bengaluru, kept in a shed, and tortured to death. Darshan is presently in Bengaluru prison and his judicial custody, on July 4, was extended by a court till July 18.