The news channels on Tuesday were dominated by a startling murder case, involving an actor, his ‘girlfriend’, and an ardent fan.
Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, also known as the “Challenging Star,” along with 11 other people, including his rumoured partner Pavithra Gowda, have been taken into custody in connection with the case.
Pavan, Vinay, Pradosh, Nandeesha, Deepak, Lakshman, Nagaraju, Karthik, Nikhil, Keshav Murthy, and Raghavendra are the other eleven accused.
A city court has placed them under police custody for seven days.
Here’s all we know about the murder case.
The murder
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.
Renukaswamy was subsequently identified as the deceased. He used to work at the Apollo Pharmacy in Chitradurga, which is more than 200 kilometres away from the capital of Karnataka.
“On finding an unidentified body of a male aged around 30 years and the injuries on it, a murder case was registered. We have analysed data using CCTV footage and other technical evidence which helped us identify the deceased as Renukaswamy,” Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayananda confirmed in a media conference.
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.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe police identified three men who they believed had been holding Renukaswamy captive in a shed after using CCTV footage and forensic investigation to track out the body.
Renukaswamy was located via a member of one of them, who was a part of the Darshan fan group.
One of the suspects, Raghavendra, 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.
Darshan’s link to the case
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.
It was also disclosed that between 11 pm and 3.30 am, Darshan’s mobile number was discovered at the crime scene’s mobile network area.
Actor Darshan's Presence At Renuka Swamy Crime Scene Confirmed by CCTV Footage and Call Records
— News18 (@CNNnews18) June 11, 2024
News18's @Aksharadm6 and @harishupadhya with latest updates on the case | @akankshaswarups #NationAt5 #Darshan #RenukaSwamy #MurderCase pic.twitter.com/z5ZQrO26pO
In the CCTV footage taken from cameras in a nearby residential complex, it was revealed that first, a black Scorpio carrying the victim’s body departed the scene, followed by the actor’s red Thar.
“After this, the accused dumped the body near Kamakshipalya, and on finding the body, we (police) registered a case,” the senior police official said.
Obscene messages and threats
Darshan was 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.
The incident timeline indicates that Pavithra had been ignoring Renukaswamy’s lewd texts. But it turns out that the deceased had been threatening her for a few months in addition to continuing to send obscene texts. Darshan and his team were made aware of this.
According to his Call Details Records (CDR), Renukaswamy then got several calls from the arrested accused, three of whom are known to be Darshan’s personal security guards, according to the inquiry into the victim’s social media accounts.
The arrest
After their connection to the case was discovered, Darshan was arrested in Mysuru on Tuesday morning as he was leaving a gym, while Pavithra was detained in Bengaluru later in the day.
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.
Darshan has been arrested based on the statements made by the 10 other accused, as per the report.
Renukaswamy’s wife, Sahana who is three months pregnant has demanded justice for her husband.
While speaking to Deccan Herald, she said, “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 further denied allegations of obscene messages and said, “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.”
About the actor
Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is referred to by his fans as a “challenging star” in Sandalwood, is the son of renowned actor Srinivas Thoogudeepa and brother of filmmaker Dinakar.
He began his career in cinema as a light boy in the Kannada film industry and later worked as a cinematographer BC Gowrishankar’s assistant.
Initially, he appeared in television series and low-cost films, but Majestic, which was released in 2001, marked his first significant starring role as an actor.
Hits like Namma Preethiya Ramu (2003), Kalasipalya in 2005, Gaja in 2008, and Saarathi in 2011 established him as a popular celebrity with a sizable fan following.
He also provided the voice of numerous Kannada cartoon series.
His past controversies
Darshan is no stranger to controversy.
Over the years, he has run several legal repercussions.
In January this year, he was charged with celebrating the success of his movie Kaatera, by partying at Jetlag Restobar in Bengaluru past the 1 am deadline. A notice was sent to everyone concerned.
Last year, in November, an FIR was filed against him for setting dogs on a woman who parked her car near his residence.
In January 2023, the forest department raided the Kannada star’s Mysuru farmhouse and seized four bar-headed geese and other migratory birds. He was booked under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972 for illegally possessing the birds, which fall under Schedule 2 of the WPA, as per News18.
In July 2021, Darshan was charged with assaulting a Mysuru hotel waiter. However, no charges were registered as the waiter allegedly received Rs 50,000 to cover up the incident.
In the same year, film producer Bharat filed a complaint against the actor for intimidating him.
In 2016, his wife Vijayalakshmi filed a complaint against Darshan for hitting her and threatening to shoot her. According to News18, the actor claimed he was intoxicated and had no memory of the incident.
Vijayalakshmi had first filed a complaint about the assault in September 2011. This had sparked separation rumours due to alleged domestic abuse and violence. The couple has not yet formally filed for a divorce.
Darshan made headlines again when Pavithra confirmed her over 10-year relationship with Darshan, despite his marriage to Vijayalakshmi.
With inputs from agencies