Darshan Thoogudeepa spent 78 lakhs to destroy crime evidence of Renukaswamy murder: Report

Darshan

Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa has been making headlines for more than ten days due to his alleged involvement in the brutal murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy. The Karnataka police have been continuously uncovering new leads, and in a recent development, they recovered a sum of Rs 78 lakh that Darshan and his associates allegedly used to bribe individuals and destroy evidence related to the case.

The Discovery of Rs 78 Lakh

The Karnataka police are contemplating notifying the Income Tax Department about the funds, which were found across several locations, including Darshan's residence and those of his associates.

A senior police officer reported that Rs 37.4 lakh was found at Darshan's home on June 19th, and an additional Rs 3 lakh was recovered from the home of Darshan's wife, Vijayalakshmi. This substantial amount of money is believed to have been transferred by Darshan to his wife to conceal his involvement in Renukaswamy's murder.

The Bribery and Concealment Operation

Further investigations revealed that Darshan had paid Rs 5 lakh each to two of his associates to grease their hands and ensure their silence. These individuals were later promised that their families would receive the remaining money after they were jailed. The police discovered Rs 10 lakh in total from these associates, while the rest of the money was unearthed at the home of Pradosh, a close friend of Darshan, who is also now under arrest.

Police Involvement and Case Handling

DCP Girish, along with ACP Chandan Kumar and Police Commissioner B Dayananda, has been at the forefront of the investigation. Their relentless efforts have been praised by senior IPS officers, highlighting their determination to bring the truth to light. Despite Darshan's influential status in the Sandalwood industry, the police team led a secret mission to capture him, indicating their resolve to ensure justice is served.

The High-Profile Case Unfolds

The high-profile case began with the discovery of Renukaswamy's murder, leading to the voluntary confessions of four culprits who initially took responsibility for the crime. However, DCP Girish and his team were not convinced by their statements and dug deeper into the matter. They discovered that these four individuals were merely pawns, having no direct links to Renukaswamy's murder. This led them to Vinay V, a local eatery owner, who revealed that Darshan had taken offense to Renukaswamy's comments about Pavithra Gowda, leading to Renukaswamy's inhumane treatment and eventual murder at Darshan's behest.

Evidence and Arrest

CCTV footage played a crucial role in linking vehicles associated with Darshan to the crime scene. Despite the actor's attempts to evade the law, the police tracked him to a Mysuru hotel where he was staying. ACP Chandan Kumar led a team to the location, persuading Darshan to accompany them back to Bengaluru. Darshan initially insisted on following in his car, but the police convinced him to leave immediately with them, ensuring his compliance.

Public Reaction and Legal Implications

Darshan's arrest sparked a wave of intense pressure on the police, with many fans and supporters demanding his release. However, the swift and unanticipated action by the police effectively reduced the chances of his immediate release. The case has not only tarnished Darshan's reputation but also highlighted the extent to which individuals can go to conceal their crimes.