Bengaluru, Nov. 4 -- A Bengaluru sessions court on Monday framed charges of murder, criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, and unlawful assembly against Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, his associate Pavitra Gowda, and 15 others in connection with the killing of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor. All 17 accused pleaded not guilty.

The proceedings took place before the 64th Additional City Civil and Sessions Court (CCH-57), presided over by Judge I.P. Naik, who formally read out the charges. The trial is set to begin on November 10.

According to investigators, Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga, was abducted and murdered in June after he allegedly sent obscene messages to Pavitra Gowda on social media. His mutilated body was fo...