Murder case involving Darshan Thogudeepa: In a shocking development, Ravi, the driver implicated in the murder case involving popular Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and his girlfriend Pavithra Gowda, has revealed critical details to the police. Ravi alleged that he was instructed to take the blame for the murder but refused to comply.
According to Ravi, Renukaswamy, whose body was later discovered, willingly entered the cab, unaware of the assault awaiting him. Ravi stated that Swamy was persuaded by others to join them in the cab with assurances that they would take him to meet Darshan and that he should apologise for his social media comments against Pavithra Gowda.
Darshan, along with Pavithra Gowda and 11 others, is currently in police custody. Allegedly, Gowda prompted Darshan to punish Swamy for derogatory remarks made on her social media posts.
A new turn in the murder probe
Ravi transported Renukaswamy from Chitradurga to Bengaluru, a journey of approximately 200 km. Upon reaching Bengaluru, Ravi went into hiding but later contacted the taxi association in Chitradurga, which advised him to surrender to the police. Ravi turned himself in on Thursday night at the Deputy Superintendent of Police’s office in Chitradurga, providing a new direction to the investigation.
The police disclosed that Raghu, also known as Raghavendra, who managed a fan club for Darshan in Chitradurga, arranged the taxi driven by Ravi. Raghu and others organized the kidnapping of Renuka Swamy on June 8.
Investigation details reveal that Darshan and his aides took Swamy to a shed in Bengaluru’s Kamakshipalya, where Darshan allegedly thrashed Swamy with a belt, and his aides beat him with sticks until he lost consciousness, resulting in multiple fractures and severe injuries. Swamy’s body was later discovered by a food delivery rider, with dogs nibbling on it.
What did the autopsy report say
The autopsy report confirmed the brutal nature of the murder, citing shock and haemorrhage as the cause of death. It identified 15 wounds on Swamy’s body, with injuries to the head, abdomen, chest, and other parts. Swamy’s head had also rammed into a mini-truck parked at the shed, adding to the fatal injuries. The police seized the truck and other instruments used in the torture, including wooden logs, a leather belt, and a rope.
Also Read: 15 wounds on his body, actor Darshan’s murder victim Renukaswamy died of shock, haemorrhage: Autopsy
Darshan allegedly planted three men to take the blame for the murder, offering them Rs 5 lakh each.
What the Karnataka govt says
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara refuted allegations of preferential treatment being given to Darshan during his detention at the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station. “It is not possible for police to give Biryani and royal treatment to the accused. It is not done and it should not be done,” Mr. Parameshwara said.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also denied any undue influence over the investigation. Reports suggesting that a state minister was attempting to protect Darshan were strongly denied by Mr. Shivakumar, who stated, “There is no pressure from anyone… neither our Home Minister nor anyone else is involved in it, we are not recommending anything, we don’t know anything.”
Protests in Karnataka
The case has sparked widespread outrage, leading to protests across Karnataka. In Kalaburagi, the Jangam Samaj organized a massive demonstration demanding severe punishment for Darshan and his associates. Protesters marched from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Circle to the District Deputy Commissioner’s Office, where they burned Darshan’s portrait to condemn the murder.
BJP leader CP Yogeshwar claimed that Shivakumar and his brother, former MP DK Suresh, had plans to field Darshan as a Congress candidate in the upcoming Channapatna Assembly by-election, following the election of JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to the Lok Sabha.
