Bengaluru: The ongoing investigation into the Renukaswamy murder case has revealed that popular Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa borrowed Rs 40 lakh from a friend to pay off accomplices for destroying evidence linked to the murder. The actor made this confession in a statement to the police.

Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old devoted fan of Darshan, was killed after allegedly making derogatory comments on social media about Kannada actress Pavithra Gowda, who is a close friend and alleged partner of Darshan. The victim's body was found near a flyover in Bengaluru on June 9.

On June 11, Karnataka Police arrested Darshan, and the investigation uncovered that he had orchestrated Renukaswamy's kidnapping and murder through a gang. Forensic evidence showed that Renukaswamy sustained 15 grievous injuries.

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During police interrogation, Darshan admitted to borrowing Rs 40 lakh from his friend Mohan Raj to pay off others involved in the crime. This amount was in addition to the Rs 30 lakh he had already paid to have the accomplices surrender and take the blame for the murder.

The police have seized the Rs 40 lakh in cash and confirmed the identity of Mohan Raj as the person who lent the money. The funds were intended to destroy evidence and avoid legal repercussions.

A Bengaluru court extended the police custody of Darshan and three other accused by two days. Thirteen other individuals, including Darshan's friend Pavithra Gowda, have been remanded to 14 days' judicial custody. In total, 17 people are accused in connection with the murder case.

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New Delhi, Jan 26 (PTI): The Congress alleged Saturday its Rithala candidate Sushant Mishra was assaulted by a poll official, and demanded a thorough probe into the incident and action against him.

Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh claimed Sushant Mishra was assaulted by an Election Commission of India official on Saturday.

He alleged the official also attempted to prevent Mishra from undertaking a Padayatra for which the Delhi Police had already given permission.

In a post on X, Ramesh said, "@sushant_m has been actively taking up violations of the Model Code of Conduct by other candidates in the ongoing Delhi Vidhan Sabha elections. This unprecedented and illegal act of partisanship by an official of a Constitutional body like the ECI can only be seen as a desperate attempt by the AAP and BJP to stem the surge of support for his candidacy and that of the Congress Party in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha elections"

Ramesh said the Congress remains undaunted and will continue to raise the voice of people and protect the sanctity of elections.

"To preserve the integrity of the electoral process, the Indian National Congress demands a full inquiry into the incident and immediate corrective action against the concerned official," the Congress leader demanded.

Mishra has also separately written to the returning office and Chief Electoral officer and the Election Commission about the incident, demanding action against the accused.