Actor Darshan arrest: Chilling details of murder over lewd messages emerge; police given free hand, says HM

He said the police will probe and decide whether Darshan is a “habitual offender,” adding that they will accordingly invoke legal sections and take action.

“He (Darshan) was brought (from Mysuru to Bengaluru) on the information about his involvement in the murder and has been arrested, inquiry is on. Based on what comes from the inquiry, action will be taken. Law is equal for everyone whether it is Darshan or Parameshwara. So no one should take the law into their hands,” Parameshwara told reporters in Bengaluru.

Darshan, his friend and film actress Pavithra Gowda, and 11 others were arrested in connection with Renukaswamy’s murder on Tuesday.

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Murder over social media post

Renukaswamy, a resident of the Bengaluru town of Chitradurga, allegedly commented on the social media account of Pavithra Gowda, a close friend of Darshan and small-time actress, accusing her of creating a rift between the actor and his wife.

He also allegedly used “indecent language” and posted offensive messages, according to police sources.

Parameshwara said: “If Renukaswamy had posted something on social media about his female friend, he could have given a complaint, and police would have acted immediately. The information is, he (Renukaswamy) was brought (to Bengaluru from Chitradurga), beaten and has been killed, it could have been avoided.”

“Now the incident has happened, a life has gone, and no one can do anything. But whatever action needs to be taken against the culprits in accordance with law, the police will do it,” he added.

To a question that Darshan had through influential politicians attempted to save himself, the minister said, as far as he knows, no one has tried to influence, and action will be taken in the case, in accordance with the law.

‘No one will interfere’

“No one from the government will interfere. Police have been given a free hand, and they will take whatever action they have to in accordance with law,” he said.

Asked as to how the government will stand by Renukaswamy’s family, Parameshwara said he will speak to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in this regard.

In response to a question, he said every case need not be given to the CBI for probe. 13 people have been arrested, and those involved in the case are known. “There is no need to give the case to another agency.”

“Police will probe whether he is a habitual offender…what they (police) will recommend after the probe in their report, is to be seen, police have a free hand, they are free to invoke sections and they have opportunity themselves to do it, they need not ask us to do it,” he said, when asked whether rowdy sheet will be opened against Darshan.

In 2011, Darshan was arrested by police for allegedly assaulting his wife and threatening her. He was later released on bail and the couple subsequently resolved the issue and she withdrew the case against him.

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Police reveal shocking details

Renukaswamy hailed from Lakshmi Venkateshwara Layout in Chitradurga and worked with a pharmacy company.

“It was Pavithra who instigated Darshan to punish Renukaswamy. Accordingly, the plan was hatched,” they said.

“Darshan engaged the Chitradurga unit of Darshan Fan Club Convenor Raghavendra alias Raghu, who obtained all information about Renukaswamy.”

Renukaswamy’s wife Sahana said Raghavendra picked up her husband on Friday night from near their house.

The victim was abducted and taken to a shed in the Kamakshipalya area in Bengaluru, the sources said.

“Darshan beat up Renukaswamy with a belt. After he fell unconscious, his accomplices thrashed him with sticks. Further, they threw him against a wall, which proved fatal,” they said adding there were multiple bone fractures all over his body.

After he died, his body was dumped in a stormwater drain.

A food delivery boy who noticed dogs eating a human body alerted the police.

When the police were working on the case, two accused approached Kamakshipalya police and “confessed” to having killed Renukaswamy over a financial dispute.

As the investigation progressed, police found out about Darshan and Pavithra’s involvement.

Meanwhile, Four associates of leading Kannada film actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who have been arrested in connection with a murder case, were on Wednesday taken to Pattanagere here, where the crime was committed, for spot ‘mahazar’, police sources said.

Nikhil, Vinay, Karthik and Raghavendra were among the 12 associates who were arrested, along with Darshan, on Tuesday for the recent murder of Renukaswamy.

The four were accused of dumping the body in a stormwater drain.

(With PTI inputs)