In a significant development in the murder case involving renowned Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, his girlfriend Pavithra Gowda, and 11 others, the driver Ravi, who transported the victim Renuka Swamy, surrendered before the Deputy Superintendent of Police’s office in Chitradurga, Karnataka, on Thursday night.
Ravi, identified as the driver who transported Renuka Swamy, whose body was later found, turned himself in to the police. According to sources, another suspect, Raghu alias Raghavendra, along with others, arranged for a taxi to transport Renuka Swamy to Bengaluru on June 8. Ravi’s cab was used for the journey from Chitradurga city to Bengaluru, where they arrived later that evening. Following the drop-off, Ravi went into hiding but later contacted the taxi association in Chitradurga, which advised him to surrender to the authorities.
Raghu, who managed a fan club for Darshan Thoogudeepa in Chitradurga, was reportedly hired by the actor to gather information on Renuka Swamy. Renuka Swamy’s wife claimed he was kidnapped near their home. Recent CCTV footage showed two cars driving away from the area where Renuka Swamy’s body was dumped. One of the cars is connected to the actor accused in the case.
The actor and his associates allegedly took Renuka Swamy to a shed in Bengaluru’s Kamakshipalya, where Darshan is said to have beaten him with a belt while his associates struck him with sticks until he lost consciousness. He was then slammed against a wall, causing multiple fractures. The body was later discovered by a food delivery rider, with reports indicating that dogs were nibbling on it.
Darshan Thoogudeepa, popularly known as “Challenging Star,” and his associates were arrested on Tuesday for the murder of 33-year-old Renuka Swamy, a resident of Chitradurga. Renuka Swamy allegedly posted offensive messages on social media about Pavithra Gowda, accusing her of causing a rift between the actor and his wife. Police sources stated that he used “indecent language” in his comments.
In response to the arrests, Bengaluru Police have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) within a 200-meter radius of the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station, where the suspects are being held. The public is prohibited from gathering in this area to maintain order.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday denied reports that Darshan Thoogudeepa and his associates were receiving “royal treatment” at the police station. He asserted that Darshan is being treated like any other accused, adding that neither special facilities nor ‘biryani’ were provided to him.
Sources By Agencies
