Bengaluru,  4 Jan

Two more persons have been arrested in connection with allegedly posting defamatory and obscene content on social media against Vijayalakshmi, the wife of jailed Kannada actor Darshan, police said on Sunday.

Vijayalakshmi had lodged a complaint with the Cyber Crime Police Station on December 24, alleging sustained online harassment targeting her and members of her family through abusive messages and comments across social media platforms.

Based on the complaint, a case was registered against more than 18 individuals, and an investigation was initiated. Police said two accused were arrested during the initial stage of the probe for posting obscene messages online.

As part of the continuing investigation, police on Saturday took into custody Nagaraj Gullappa Talawar (23), a petrol bunk manager from Keshavapura in Hubballi, and Prashanth Talawar (23), an auditor from Yalawal in Dharwad. Both are being questioned for their alleged role in circulating abusive content.

Police said efforts are under way to identify and trace the remaining accused involved in the case.

Darshan is currently in judicial custody in connection with the murder of his fan Renukaswamy from Chitradurga. The victim was killed in June 2024 for allegedly posting derogatory content on social media against Darshan’s friend, actress Pavithra Gowda, police have said