Actor Darshan case: How driver’s surrender could be a big breakthrough in the probe

As the investigation continues in Karnataka’s Renukaswamy murder case, in which a Kannada actor and his partner are accused, a key accused has surrendered to the police.

The development comes just a day after Darshan Thoogudeepa alias ‘Challenging Star’, his co-star and rumoured girlfriend Pavithra Gowda and 11 others were arrested in the case.

Here’s what we know about the latest development.

Driver surrenders

Ravi, a resident of Kurubarachetti and the eighth accused in the case, has surrendered to the police on Thursday at the Chitradurga Deputy Superintendent of Police’s office, reported Deccan Herald.

He was allegedly the driver of the vehicle that transported the victim 200 kilometres from Chitradurga to Bengaluru.

On 8 June, Renukaswamy was driven to Bengaluru by a cab, which was arranged by others, including another accused named Raghu, also known as Raghavendra.

Later that evening, after boarding Ravi’s taxi in Chitradurga, all the accused arrived in Bengaluru.

When Ravi left them in Bengaluru, he went into hiding.

NDTV sources said that after he contacted the Chitradurga taxi association, they advised him to turn himself into the police.

Also read: The shocking arrest of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, ‘girlfriend’ over fan’s murder

The murder case

According to News18, a security guard in a nearby Bengaluru flat discovered an unidentified body being eaten by dogs on 9 June and reported it to the Kamaskhipalya police.

The deceased was subsequently identified as Renukaswamy, who used to work at the Apollo Pharmacy in Chitradurga.

The report said the victim was abducted from Chitradurga, held captive in a farmhouse in Rajarajeshwarinagar, Bengaluru, subjected to torture, and eventually succumbed to his injuries at approximately 11 pm.

One of the suspects, Raghavendra aka Raghu, who ran a fan club of the Kannada actor, went to Chitradurga, a police officer said, and took the victim by force. He then placed him in a godown or shed at Pattanwaddagere, RR Nagar.

He was assaulted continuously for more than an hour, and at approximately 11:00 pm., he died from his injuries.

A technical investigation and CCTV footage proved that Darshan and Pavithra were there at the crime scene on the intervening night of 8 and 9 June.

Darshan was reportedly upset with Renukaswamy for sending Pavithra “abusive comments and messages” on Instagram.

According to News18 which cited a police source, Renukaswamy allegedly sent Pavithra a string of obscene and defamatory texts, blaming her for Darshan’s separation from his wife Vjayalakshmi. He also threatened to face consequences if she didn’t stop.

Thus, the actor had hired Raghu to gather information about Renukaswamy and kidnap him.

Darshan and his aides allegedly thrashed Renukaswamy with belt, while his aides beat him with sticks until he fell unconscious.

He was slammed against a wall, which led to multiple fractures all over his body. When his body was found, dogs were nibbling on his body.

After confirming the detention of Darshan and Pavithra, the Bengaluru police have now opened a thorough investigation into the murder case and the role played by other people in the victim’s kidnapping from Chitradurga to Bengaluru and subsequent disposal of his body in the city.

According to the police, there is yet no concrete evidence linking the Kannada star to the crime.

Demand for justice

Renukaswamy’s wife Sahana, who is reportedly three months pregnant, demanded justice for her husband.

“We married a year ago and I am expecting a baby. My husband’s death in such a situation has left me shattered. How can I lead my life now,” she was quoted by Deccan Herald.

“My husband called me on 8 June afternoon. If my husband had sent derogatory messages on social media, he should have been given a warning. What was the need to kill him. Whether he is an actor (Darshan) or a star, I want justice,” she said.

Under the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha banner, farmers have called for a ban on Darshan films, denouncing the remarks made by Darshan fan club members endorsing their movie idol, according to Times Now.

A delegation of former presidents and executive committee members of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to meet the family members of the victim on Friday.

As per the report, the film organisation has said that any action against the actor will be based on the police inquiry report concerning the murder case.

The Film Artists’ Association will be consulted before a decision is made, it stated.

With inputs from agencies