Popular Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 33-year-old man, Renuka Swamy, who allegedly sent obscene messages to Darshan’s co-star, Pavithra Gowda.
The police detained Darshan from his farmhouse in Mysore and brought him to Bengaluru for questioning. Alongside Darshan, 13 people have been arrested in the case, including Pavithra Gowda.
Renuka Swamy, employed by a pharmacy company, was found dead in Bengaluru on June 9. His body was discovered with injury marks, leading to suspicions of foul play. Initial investigations revealed that Swamy had allegedly posted obscene messages on social media about Pavithra Gowda, a close associate of Darshan.
Bengaluru police chief B Dayanand indicated that the motive behind the murder appeared to be related to these objectionable messages. The investigation intensified after residents reported seeing stray dogs dragging Swamy’s body from a drain. Following the interrogation of several suspects, police were directed towards Darshan.
Darshan, known to fans as the “Challenging Star,” was taken into custody while shooting a film in Mysuru. Authorities are probing whether he was directly involved in the murder or if he had any role in the plot. The police have also arrested nine others in connection with the case.
Darshan, who made his debut in the 2002 film “Majestic,” is a well-known figure in Kannada cinema with prominent roles in films like “Anatharu” (2007), “Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna” (2012), and “Kaatera” (2023). However, he has had previous run-ins with the law, including a stint in jail about a decade ago on allegations of domestic abuse.
Tight security measures have been put in place at Darshan’s residence in RR Nagar, Bengaluru. The family of Renuka Swamy is distraught, with his father, Srinivasaiah, demanding justice for his only son, who was recently married and whom he had spoken to just before the tragic incident.
