Actor Darshan borrowed Rs 40 Lakh to destroy evidence in Renukaswamy murder case: Police
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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Bengaluru: Four arrested for housebreaking, threats, extortion; fake PSI among accused
Bengaluru: Vidyaranyapura police have arrested four persons, including a man posing as a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI), for allegedly breaking into a house, threatening the occupants, and extorting money while wearing police uniforms.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mallikarjuna, Pramod, Vinay, and Hrithik.
Police said the accused had hatched a plan to pose as police personnel, conduct fake raids, and extort money from residents by intimidation.
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According to the police, Mallikarjuna had failed the PSI examination twice and later falsely projected himself as a PSI. He allegedly conducted photo shoots in his hometown, Siraguppa, wearing a police uniform, baton, cap, and shoes, claiming to be serving as a PSI in Bengaluru.
On December 7, the four accused allegedly went to the house of Naveen in the Vidyaranyapura limits, threatened him with a stick and an iron rod, and claimed they had information that he was selling ganja. Under the pretext of searching, they allegedly extorted ₹87,000 through bank transfer, ₹53,000 in cash kept in the house, and ₹2,000 from his wallet.
Following Naveen’s complaint, Vidyaranyapura police registered a case and launched an operation, leading to the arrest of all four accused. Police have seized ₹45,000 in cash and the car used to commit the crime.
Further investigation is underway.
