Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, after being held in police custody twice, was anticipated to be transferred to judicial custody on June 20 as part of the Renukaswamy murder case investigation. Nevertheless, the court concurred with the investigating team’s argument that Darshan’s role in the case necessitated additional examination. The police stated that since the deceased’s mobile phone has not yet been found, it is imperative to continue the custodial interrogation. The police have requested an extension to conclude the necessary procedures, and a period of 2 days has been granted for this purpose.
Darshan and four others will remain in police custody, whereas accused number 1, Pavitra Gowda, and the remaining accused in the case will be transferred to Parappana Agrahara jail for judicial custody. The maximum duration for police custody is 14 days, with ten days already elapsed. Darshan was taken into custody on June 11 in connection with the brutal killing of Chitradurga resident Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old fan of the actor who had reportedly sent offensive messages to Pavitra Gowda. The actor is the second accused in the case and has been charged under Section 302 (murder) and Sec 201 (concealing evidence of a crime or providing false information to hide a crime). Despite reports from news outlets suggesting that Section 302 may not apply to Darshan, it is said that he confessed to paying some of the suspects Rs 30 lakh to get rid of Renukaswamy’s body. This confession is cited as the reason for ongoing questioning. Although CCTV footage and mobile tower data is placing him at the location where Renukaswamy was killed, the actor has denied any involvement in the torture and murder.
The images of Renukaswamy’s body, following his retrieval from the stormwater drain where the police abandoned him, display evidence of brutal torture. His back bears marks from canes/rods, one ear has been severed, his testicles are ruptured, and there are burn marks indicative of electric shock.
