Kannada actor Darshan and his wife, Vijayalaxmi, have been summoned by a local court in T. Narasipura regarding the alleged illegal possession of bar-headed geese. The summons, issued on Friday, May 23, 2025, directs them to appear in person before the court on July 4th in connection with this case.
The issue dates back to January 2023, when Forest Department officials raided Darshan's farmhouse located on T. Narasipura Road, near Mysuru. During the raid, authorities discovered four bar-headed geese, a species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act. Possessing these birds is illegal, as they are migratory and it is against the law to keep them in captivity. Following the raid, a case was registered against Darshan, his wife, and their farmhouse manager under the Wildlife Protection Act. The Forest Department submitted a charge sheet to the court alleging illegal possession of the birds.
The bar-headed goose is a migratory bird species native to the Middle East. These birds are protected, and their possession is a violation of wildlife protection laws. During the 2023 raid, authorities found several imported foreign birds in addition to the bar-headed geese. These birds were presented before a magistrate and subsequently released back into their natural habitat.
Reportedly, the raid on Darshan's farmhouse was prompted by a video that went viral, showing the actor with the bar-headed geese. In an interview, Darshan confirmed that he had the birds at his farmhouse. This admission, coupled with the discovery of the birds during the raid, led to the charges being filed. The actor has been booked under Sections 9, 39, and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022. If convicted, Darshan could face imprisonment for up to three years.
Darshan's legal troubles extend beyond this wildlife case. He is currently out on conditional bail as an accused in the Renukaswamy murder case. The prosecution has challenged the granting of bail in the Supreme Court. Reports have also surfaced regarding other incidents linked to his farmhouse, including the death of his manager Sridhar and visits to the property after being granted bail in the Renukaswamy case.
