Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa has been remanded to judicial custody until July 4 by a court in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case. The court also ordered judicial custody for Darshan’s four alleged accomplices.
Darshan and his aides were taken to the central prison at Parappana Agrahara in Bengaluru. A huge number of his fans gathered at the court and raised slogans in favour of Darshan. The actor too waved from the caged police van.
Darshan had been in police custody since June 11. Earlier this week, thirteen other accused, including the actor’s friend Pavithra Gowda, were remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
A total of 17 people are accused in the murder case.
According to police sources, Renukaswamy, a fan of Darshan, allegedly sent obscene messages to Gowda, which reportedly incited Darshan to take action leading to Renukaswamy’s death.
Renukaswamy’s body was discovered near a stormwater drain next to an apartment in Sumanahalli on June 9.
Karnataka police investigating case on Saturday said that Darshan had contacted multiple people shortly after the alleged killing, while another suspect confessed to administering electric shocks to the victim.
Aimed at escaping from “adverse legal actions” against him and meet the expenses to “cover up” the conspiracy and destruction of evidence, Darshan, accused number two in the case, had taken Rs 40 lakh from a friend, and the money has been recovered, they said.
Authorities revealed these details in a remand application filed before the 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court on Thursday, seeking extended custody for Darshan and three others.
Police said that 47-year-old Darshan and his co-accused—Dhanraj D, Vinay V, and Pradosh—were uncooperative during the investigation, attempting to hide facts.
During the probe, Dhanraj (accused number 9) confessed to assaulting Renukaswamy and using an electric shock device on him. The police seized the device but Dhanraj did not disclose where he obtained the device from.
Darshan, identified as accused number two, reportedly received Rs 40 lakh from a friend to evade legal consequences and conceal evidence. Police recovered Rs 37.4 lakh from Darshan’s residence and Rs 3 lakh that he gave to his wife.
Pradosh, described as playing a significant role in evidence destruction, allegedly disposed of mobile phones belonging to Renukaswamy and another accused, Raghavendra, in a drainage.
Police recovered Rs 4.40 lakh from Raghavendra’s residence along with Renukaswamy’s gold ring and chain.
Renukaswamy’s autopsy indicated shock and haemorrhage from multiple blunt injuries as the cause of death, PTI reported, citing sources.
