Darshan hits wife, lands in jail

Actor charged with attempt to murder

Although Vijayalakshmi withdrew the complaint later, the magistrate refused to release the actor till Monday, insisting that the government lawyer too withdraw the charges against the actor.

The Vijayanagar Police arrested the actor based on a detailed two-page complaint filed by his wife, Vijayalakshmi, who has accused Darshan of having assaulted her physically and injured her in their SUV while they were driving home after visiting a friend.

The police have registered a case under sections 498-A (dowry) 307 (attempt to murder) and Arms Act.

Darshan, Vijayalakshmi has said in her complaint, hit her with the butt of his licensed revolver and threatened to shoot her.

Vijayalaksmi was treated at Gayathri Hospital. Dr Sunil of the hospital said, “The patient had bruises and a wound at the back of her head required four sutures.”

In his defence, Darshan has said he was inebriated and has no memory of the incident. After arresting him in the wee hours of Friday, police took him to Victoria Hospital at about 3:20 am for a medical test.

Dr C N Manjula, who performed the tests, confirmed that Darshan was under the influence of alcohol.

Sources said Darshan resisted the doctors taking his thumb impression (a procedural requirement) and even demanded that they read out the contents of their report.

Fearing the wrath of his fans, the police, after arresting Darshan, kept him in a private apartment owned by a popular film director, actor and producer.

They even avoided producing the actor at court and instead took him to the residence of magistrate Venkatesh Hulagi in Koramangala at about 7:20 pm.

The magistrate remanded the actor in judicial custody for 14 days at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. Elsewhere, the bigwigs of Kannada cinema, including Ambareesh, Jaggesh and Prem convinced Vijayalakshmi to withdraw her charges and settle the matter out of court.

Heeding their advice, Vijayalakshmi filed an affidavit withdrawing her charges. However, Magistrate Hulagi said he needs to hear the same from the government lawyer before he can decide, and posted the matter to Monday.