Darshan's aides threatened eyewitnesses of Renukaswamy murder, complaint lodged

Darshan

The case involving Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa has taken a troubling turn as a complaint has been lodged against his aides for threatening the eyewitnesses of the Renukaswamy murder case.

This development, as presented by the police in their remand note to the court on Saturday, adds another layer of complexity to an already high-profile and contentious case.

According to the police, Darshan and 16 others were arrested in connection with the brutal murder of Renukaswamy. The actor and his gang are accused of abducting and torturing Renukaswamy to death. The motive behind the murder, as reported, was retaliatory—Renukaswamy had allegedly sent lewd messages to Pavithra Gowda, another key accused in the case and an actress.

In their submission to the court, the police highlighted the threats made by Darshan's aides to the eyewitnesses, which have significantly hampered the investigation. The police emphasized the need to protect the identities of these witnesses due to the potential risk to their safety. “A complaint has been lodged against the aides of the accused number two (Darshan) for threatening the eyewitnesses of the case at the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station,” the remand note stated.

The police further accused Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and other suspects of actively obstructing the investigation. “Actress Pavithra Gowda(A1), Darshan(A2), and other accused involved in the case have been ‘creating obstacles continuously’ in the investigation of the case,” the note mentioned. These actions include attempts to destroy material evidence, which has significantly impeded the progress of the case.

One of the critical pieces of evidence in the case is Renukaswamy’s mobile phone. According to the police, the accused had disposed of the phone in the Sumanahalli Stormwater Drain in an effort to destroy its data. The police have requested the court’s permission to obtain a new SIM card from the service provider to 're-access' the data. “The court is requested to grant permission to apply for Renukaswamy’s SIM card from the service provider to ‘re-access’ the data in the mobile phone, which the accused had thrown in the Sumanahalli Stormwater Drain to destroy the data,” the police stated.

Additionally, the police disclosed that the accused had used web applications to communicate with each other and subsequently destroyed data related to their communications. This further complicates the case as it makes it harder for the investigators to trace the actions and interactions of the suspects. Therefore, the police have sought the court’s permission to obtain a fresh SIM card for further investigation.

Opposing bail for the accused, the police argued that Darshan’s influential status, wealth, and large fan base could facilitate the destruction of evidence. They emphasized the need to keep him and the other suspects in custody to prevent any further tampering with the case. The police warned that granting bail could result in the loss of critical evidence, thereby jeopardizing the case’s outcome.

Renukaswamy, a fan of Darshan, was reportedly abducted from Chitradurga on June 8. The details of his abduction and subsequent torture paint a grim picture of the extent of violence he endured. According to the police, Renukaswamy was brutally tortured to death by the 47-year-old actor and his associates. The motive behind this heinous act was allegedly to retaliate against Renukaswamy for sending inappropriate messages to Pavithra Gowda.

To date, the police have arrested 17 individuals in connection with this case. However, the investigation is ongoing, with efforts to apprehend additional suspects still at large. The police have reiterated their commitment to bringing all involved parties to justice and ensuring a thorough investigation.

This case has garnered significant attention due to the involvement of high-profile individuals and the nature of the crime. The public and media are closely watching the developments, with widespread calls for justice for Renukaswamy. The police’s latest revelations about the threats to eyewitnesses underscore the challenges faced in securing crucial testimonies and evidence needed to build a robust case against the accused.