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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BJP will form govt in Bengal with thumping majority: Nabin
Mirzapur (UP) (PTI): BJP president Nitin Nabin on Wednesday voiced confidence that his party will form the government in West Bengal with a "thumping majority".
Polling is underway for 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, covering key districts, including Kolkata, Howrah and North and South 24 Parganas.
The high-stakes contest is being seen as decisive for the ruling TMC's bid for a fourth consecutive term and the BJP's push to form its first government in the state. The first phase held on April 23 recorded a high voter turnout of over 93 per cent, reflecting intense electoral engagement.
Speaking to reporters in Mirzapur, Nabin said, "The BJP will form the government in Bengal. We are winning the elections with a massive majority."
Earlier in the day, the BJP chief visited the Vindhyavasini temple and offered prayers. The rituals were conducted by his priest Acharya Agastya Kumar Dwivedi.
On his first visit to the district after assuming office, Nabin was welcomed by party workers at several places. At the temple, he was received by city MLA Ratnakar Mishra and District Magistrate Pawan Kumar Gangwar, who felicitated him with a traditional 'angvastram'.
After offering prayers for about 10 minutes amid Vedic chants, Nabin held a meeting at a hotel with local MLAs, including Mishra, Majhwan MLA Suchismita Maurya and Madihan MLA Ramashankar Patel.
Patel said Nabin emphasised strengthening the organisation and asked public representatives to focus on serving people in their respective constituencies.
Several party leaders, including district president Lal Bahadur Saroj, district vice-president Gaurav Umar, municipal chairperson Shyam Sundar Kesari, women workers and senior officials, were present on the occasion.
Elaborate security arrangements were put in place by the district administration for the visit, with multiple officers of circle officer rank deployed, officials said.
