All accused, including Darshan and Pavithra, were produced before the magistrate through video conferencing from the prisons they were lodged.
Darshan and Pavithra Gowda. (X)
A court in Bengaluru on Thursday, 4 July, extended the judicial custody of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa along with his friend Pavithra Gowda and others, who are accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, till 18 July.
All the 17 accused, including Darshan and Pavithra, were produced before the magistrate through video conferencing from Bengaluru and Tumakuru prisons, where they are lodged, as their judicial custody ended on Thursday.
Police sources said Pavithra Gowda, who is accused number one, was the “major cause” for Renukaswamy’s murder, claiming that it has been proved from the probe that she instigated other accused, conspired with them, and took part in the crime.
The information on the police remand note indicates that Pavithra herself was present at the site of the murder of Renukaswamy.
Police have seized the slipper, clothes, materials and other documents connected to Darshan, from Pavithra’s house.
Actor Darshan, popularly known as ‘Challenging Star’, Gowda, and his close associates were arrested on 12 June for the murder of the 33-year-old fan on 8 June.
Renukaswamy’s body with multiple injury marks was found near a stormwater drain next to an apartment in Sumanahalli on 9 June. A resident of the district headquarters town of Chitradurga, Renukaswamy worked with a pharmacy company.
He allegedly commented on the social media account of Gowda, 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.
“It was Pavithra who instigated Darshan to punish Renukaswamy. Accordingly, the plan was hatched,” the police 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.
(With PTI inputs)
Jul 06, 2024
Jul 06, 2024
Jul 06, 2024
Jul 06, 2024
Jul 06, 2024
Jul 06, 2024
