Sandalwood performs extensive homa

Purported reason it to protect industry's interests

Speculations rife it is done to rescue Darshan

A pooja is being conducted by a few celebrities of the Sandalwood industry, purportedly to extricate the industry from painful losses. 

However, there are also talks that such an endeavour has been taken up to propitiate gods for an early release for Darshan. 

Also Read: More trouble for Darshan as close friend Chikkanna could turn witness

Senior actor Girija Lokesh defended such a move by saying, “Why should we not perform a pooja? This is just to tell him we are with you. If he has done something wrong, he should undergo punishment. There are several lives dependent on him. It is wrong to justify his criminal deed. But we are praying for the commutation of his sentence.” 

On the broader aim for such a pooja, she said, “We have exploited the earth. This pooja is just a prayer to God to pardon us for our mistakes.” 

Darshan was arrested last June for his alleged involvement in the kidnap and murder of Renukaswamy, who  had sent lewd messages to Pavitra Gowda. He was picked up from a gym in Mysuru. Presently, he and the other accused have been sentenced to judicial custody. 

It is learnt that the prosecution will file a chargesheet in September.