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Court rejects Darshan's bail plea

The bail plea of Kannada actor Darshan, who has been arrested on attempt to murder and domestic violence charges, was rejected by a magistrate's court on Tuesday. He remains in judicial custody. He has now approached the session's court.

His wife Vijayalakshmi, who filed the complaint, later withdrew it stating that her injuries were a result of a fall in the bathroom and not due to Darshan's violent behaviour. The withdrawal of her statement came in the wake of tremendous pressure exerted on her by film industry biggies and Darshan's family members, it is believed. 

The court, however, held that since an FIR has been filed, the case is now between the State and Darshan and that the investigation report submitted was against Darshan. The court also stated that the medical report suggested that the injuries had occurred due to assault.

Darshan's alleged affair with actress Nikitha and Vijayalkashmi's refusal to transfer properties registered in her name to Darshan are said to be the reasons for the discord between the couple. Following the mention of Nikitha in Vijayalaksmi's police complaint, the Producers' Association has banned Nikitha from acting in Kannada

films for three years, though no similar action has been taken against Darshan.

Meanwhile, Darshan, who was supposed to be cooling his heels in jail, has so far avoided being put behind bars by citing health issues ever since he was remanded to judicial custody on September 9. Doctors treating him have diagnosed asthma and jaundice and advised hospitalisation for some days. 

Says Dr Shashidhar Buggi, who is attending Darshan: "While traces of jaundice are mild, asthma still continues to trouble him. This season aggravates the problem. We just conducted a medical check up and there is still evidence of bronco spasms."

As to how long Darshan will require hospitalisation, he said, "That depends on how fast and well he responds to the treatment. Only when spasms start clearing can we start reducing the dosage of medicine."

Speaking about Vijayalakshmi's changed statements, chairman of the State Women's Commission C Manjula said, "What appalls me the most is that the woman was made to move from the hospital to take back her charges. This, at a time when she was really sick and needed rest. Whatever the developments now, I'm more focused on observing the situation once all the media attention around the case dies down. I'm more concerned about her safety if and when Darshan is given bail. One thing that this incident has proved is that the law is above all. Certain members of the industry tried to arm-twist the law. But the law has prevailed. It also shows that there are strong pro-women laws."