In a significant development in the murder case of Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old man from Karnataka’s Bengaluru, police have identified 17 individuals, led by actors Pavithra Gowda and Darshan Thoogudeepa, as conspirators.
The investigation reveals that Darshan allegedly paid Rs 50 lakh to orchestrate the crime, which included transporting Renukaswamy from Chitradurga to Bengaluru, the NDTV reported.
Police sources indicate that Darshan paid Rs 30 lakh to Pradosh (alias Pawan) for handling the abduction, murder, and disposal of Renukaswamy’s body. Additionally, Nikhil and Keshavamurthy received Rs 5 lakh each for their roles in the murder and disposal, while another Rs 5 lakh was earmarked for the families of Raghavendra and Karthik, who were supposed to submit false confessions and serve prison time in place of the main accused.
What led to the murder
Renukaswamy, employed by a pharmacy company, allegedly posted obscene messages about Gowda on social media. Pavithra Gowda, a co-star and close friend of Darshan Thoogudeepa, reportedly instigated him to take action.
The police believe that Renukaswamy was abducted from Chitradurga on June 8 by Raghavendra, a fan of Darshan, who arranged for a taxi driven by another accused, Ravi (or Ravishankar), to transport Renukaswamy to a shed in Bengaluru’s Kamakshipalya area.
Ravi, however, contested this version, stating that Renukaswamy was persuaded to come to Bengaluru under the pretext of meeting Darshan to resolve the social media issue. Ravi surrendered on June 10 after being advised by his union. The other three accused also surrendered the same day and initially confessed to the abduction and murder before implicating Darshan and Pavithra Gowda during further interrogation.
Gruesome Details and Evidence
Police believe Renukaswamy was assaulted with wooden sticks, tied up, and subjected to electric shocks in the shed. The post-mortem report confirmed that he died from shock and internal bleeding due to injuries on his head and abdomen. A leather belt, allegedly used by Darshan to whip Renukaswamy, was also seized.
Also Read: Police share shocking details of actor Darshan’s involvement in Renukaswamy murder case
Swamy’s body was found the following day near a stormwater drain, discovered by a food delivery agent who chased away feral dogs from the corpse. Bloodstain samples, strands of Swamy’s hair, and an unidentified liquid from the cab have been collected as evidence. Security camera footage from around the shed, CCTV clips from Pradosh’s residence, and toll booth recordings have also been examined. Two cars linked to the accused were identified, one of which was later found in Ayyanahalli village in Chitradurga district.
Karnataka Government Response
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has praised the police for their diligence and rejected the need to transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He emphasised that there should be no political influence in the investigation and assured that the accused would not receive preferential treatment in jail.
The police are also considering whether Darshan is a “habitual offender,” referring to a 2011 case in which he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his wife. He was later released on bail, and the couple claimed to have resolved the issue.
The investigation continues as the police await DNA test results to confirm the identities and further build their case against those involved in the brutal murder of Renukaswamy.
