BENGALURU: The Bengaluru West DCP issued a notice to a woman police officer after actress Pavithra Gowda, partner of jailed Kannada superstar Darshan Thoogudeepa, was seen wearing makeup in police custody.

Pavithra was brought to her residence in Bengaluru to collect evidence. During this, she was seen applying lipstick and make-up with the police officers alongside her. The footage of this was widely circulated and criticism was raised against the police.

Despite being arrested in the murder of Darshan's fan, Renuka Swamy (33), Pavithra was seen without any remorse which sparked debate on social media. Following this. the DCP issued a notice to the concerned sub-inspector.

"Pavithra used to stay at her home every night where she had probably kept her makeup bag. The lady PSI used to go there every day in the morning to pick her up and get her to AP Nagar police station. The lady PSI could have observed this and stopped Pavithra from doing that. For this negligence, she has been issued a notice for explanation," DCP (West), Girish said.

Pavithra is the second accused in the case of Renuka Swamy's murder. Darshan is the first accused in the case. According to the police, anger over Renuka Swamy sending lewd messages to Pavithra led to the murder. On June 9, Renuka Swamy's body was found near an apartment block in Sumanahalli. Apart from Darshan and Pavithra, who were arrested in the case, 15 people are now in judicial custody.