Driver Surrenders in Murder Case Involving Actor Darshan Thoogudeepa
In a major development in the murder case involving Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, his girlfriend Pavithra Gowda, and 11 others, the driver Ravi has surrendered to the police. Ravi, who had transported Renuka Swamy, the murder victim, turned himself in at the deputy superintendent of police’s office in Chitradurga, Karnataka on Thursday night.
Another suspect, Raghu (also known as Raghavendra), along with others, had arranged for a taxi to take Renuka Swamy to Bengaluru on June 8. All the suspects used Ravi’s cab from Chitradurga to reach Bengaluru that evening, according to NDTV.
After dropping off in Bengaluru, Ravi went into hiding but later contacted the taxi association in Chitradurga, who advised him to surrender to the police.
Raghu, who managed a fan club for Darshan Thoogudeepa, was reportedly hired by the actor to gather information on Renuka Swamy. Renuka Swamy’s wife claimed he was kidnapped near their home.
Recently, CCTV footage showed two cars leaving the area where Renuka Swamy’s body was found on the night of the murder. One of these cars is linked to the actor.
Darshan and his associates allegedly took Renuka Swamy to a shed in Bengaluru’s Kamakshipalya, where Darshan beat him with a belt while others hit him with sticks until he lost consciousness. They then slammed him against a wall, causing multiple fractures.
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The body was discovered by a food delivery rider, with dogs reportedly nibbling on it.
Darshan Thoogudeepa, known as “Challenging Star,” and his associates were arrested for the murder of 33-year-old Renuka Swamy, a fan of the actor. Renuka Swamy had allegedly posted offensive comments on Pavithra Gowda’s social media, accusing her of causing issues between Darshan and his wife.
In response to the arrests, the Bengaluru Police have imposed Section 144 within a 200-meter radius of the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station, preventing public gatherings.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara denied reports of “royal treatment” being given to Darshan and his associates at the police station. He stated that Darshan is being treated like any other accused, with no special facilities or meals provided.
