Renukaswamy murder case: Actor Darshan fan clubs under police scanner

“The role of fan clubs is very dubious, especially after the Renukaswamy murder case. The Chitradurga Darshan Fan Club convener Raghavendra alias Raghu and his accomplices were instrumental in the abduction of the victim,” a police officer said.

Also Read: Renukaswamy murder case: top Kannada actors say police should make probe transparent

‘Screening’ key members

According to him, the police are “screening” key members of Darshan fan clubs across the state and their activities as they are suspected to have harboured some anti-social elements.

“With his money power and clout, Darshan was protecting them,” another police officer claimed.

Police sources said the fan club members were allegedly heavily paid by Darshan and the film producers, directors and financiers to create a favourable box-office atmosphere whenever his movies were released.

To get a lucrative share in the income generated from Darshan movies, fan clubs would strive for the success of his films, the sources said, adding, often there would be a competition amongst them in various districts.

“It has also been observed that these fan club members would clash with the fan club members of other actors whenever Darshan movies were released simultaneously with the ‘rival actor’,” the sources said.

Police are also contemplating opening a rowdy sheet against Darshan as he allegedly has contacts with some rowdies in different parts of the state who many a times operated through his fan clubs, the sources said.

Also Read: Darshan arrest case: No soft corner for anyone, says Karnataka home minister

(Disclaimer: The headline, subheads, and intro of this report along with the photos may have been reworked by South First. The rest of the content is from a syndicated feed, and has been edited for style.)