Renuka Swamy's pregnant wife demands justice for late husband, says 'Whether he is an actor or a star, I want justice'

After the alleged killing at a shed at Pattanagere under Kamakshipalya police station limits, allegedly belonging to one of the aides of Darshan, Renukaswamy's body was dumped into a nearby stormwater drain, police sources said.

Kannada actor Darshan, who was arrested in connection with the murder of Renuka Swamy, has been sent to six days police custody.

Now in a major development, Renuka's wife Sahana has claimed that she is three months pregnant and in an interaction with reporters, Swamy’s widow spoke out against Darshan and demanded justice.

“We married a year ago and I am expecting a baby. My husband’s death in such a situation has left me shattered. How can I lead my life now,” she told Deccan Herald.

There have been reports that Renuka Swamy was allegedly sending derogatory messages to actress Pavithra Gowda, who is Darshan's girlfriend and partner.

But his wife claimed that her husband never sent any derogatory messages ever. “My husband called me on June 8 afternoon. If my husband had sent derogatory messages on social media, he should have been given a warning. What was the need to kill him. Whether he is an actor (Darshan) or a star, I want justice.”

For the uninitiated, Darshan Thoogudeepa and his close friend and actress Pavithra Gowda were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the murder of Renuka Swamy who allegedly made "derogatory" comments against her.

The police questioned Darshan, who is also known as the 'Challenging Star', and 12 others after taking them into custody in connection with the alleged murder of Renukaswamy. The victim's body was found here on June 9.

They were produced before a Bengaluru Magistrate court, which remanded them to six days police custody.

According to Darshan, Renuka Swamy, who worked with a pharma company and hailed from the district headquarters town of Chitradurga, had made "derogatory" comments against Gowda in social media posts, the sources said.

Darshan, who featured in several commercially successful films including 'Kariya', 'Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna', 'Kalasipalya', 'Gaja', 'Navagraha', 'Saarathi', 'Bulbul', 'Yajamana', 'Robert' and 'Kaatera', was picked up from a Mysuru hotel as he stepped out after working out in the gym there.

After the alleged killing at a shed at Pattanagere under Kamakshipalya police station limits, allegedly belonging to one of the aides of Darshan, Renukaswamy's body was dumped into a nearby stormwater drain, police sources said.

Police came to know about the incident after some local residents alerted them about the body, which was later sent for an autopsy.

The forensic report confirmed that he was murdered, police sources said.

Renukaswamy's parents were inconsolable after learning about the murder. "He was my only son. Last year he got married. I spoke to him on Saturday only. I want justice," his father Srinivasaiah told reporters at Kamakshipalya police station.

Police have provided tight security at the house of Darshan, who made his debut as a lead actor in the movie 'Majestic' in 2002, and has a huge fan following, at RR Nagar here.

(With PTI Inputs)