Bengaluru:

Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa’s associate Pavithra Gowda was released from the Bengaluru Central Prison where she was jailed over the Renukaswamy murder case. Darshan, arrested on June 11 for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and killing of 33-year-old Renukaswamy on June 8, appeared at a Bengaluru Sessions Court on Monday to complete the bail formalities. 

The actor had been hospitalised for over six weeks due to back pain at BGS Hospital in Kengeri, where no surgical procedures were performed. Seven other accused were also granted bail on Friday.

Renukaswamy’s body, bearing multiple injuries, was discovered near a drain in Bengaluru’s Sumanahalli. Investigations revealed that Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga, had allegedly sent obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda. He was allegedly kidnapped, tortured, and killed.

Initially, four individuals surrendered to the police claiming responsibility, citing a financial dispute. However, inconsistencies in their statements revealed a conspiracy involving Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others.

In Chitradurga, Renukaswamy’s father, Kashinath Shivanagouda, expressed faith in the judiciary. 

“I got to know through the media that the criminals who killed my son got bail. I don’t have the details of it. We have faith in the judiciary. Bail may have been granted, but we have firm belief that the accused will be punished,” he said. 

Darshan’s fans erupted in celebrations following the bail announcement, gathering outside BGS Hospital and performing rituals

Bengaluru:

Karnataka Police submitted the chargesheet in the sensational kidnap and murder case of Renukaswamy which has established the role of jailed Kannada superstar Darshan and also detailed the brutal and inhumane torture before his death.

“After being assaulted by Darshan and his gang, Renukaswamy’s chest bones were broken. There are a total of 39 injury marks all over his body. There is also a deep cut on the victim’s head,” reads the chargesheet.

It added that the gang reportedly used a megger machine, an electrical device used to measure insulation resistance, to deliver electric shocks to Renukaswamy’s private parts.

“Darshan and his gang used the megger device to damage Renukaswamy’s testicle,” the chargesheet says.

Another source said that Renukaswamy endured unheard-of and inhuman torture before being hacked to death.

“After committing the murder, Darshan and the other accused used their influence and money to dispose of the body and attempted to destroy evidence. They also tried to frame other individuals to escape charges,” the chargesheet said.

It said that with the common intention of committing the crime, they destroyed physical, technical, and scientific evidence and attempted to destroy further evidence.

Darshan is named as the second accused in the case, and his legal team is preparing to submit a bail plea. However, police sources said that since he is booked in three new cases related to luxury treatment inside the prison, obtaining bail will not be an easy task.

The police found traces of Renukaswamy’s blood on the clothes seized from Darshan. They also retrieved messages sent by his associates during the kidnapping, confinement, torture, murder, and disposal of Renukaswamy’s body.

After the incident, Darshan had gone to Mysuru for the shoot of his upcoming movie, “Devil.” A team from Bengaluru Police, headed by ACP Chandan Kumar, arrested him in a hotel after cracking the case.

Sources said Darshan tried to resist the arrest. However, ACP Chandan Kumar ordered him to get into the police jeep or face being dragged in, with further strong action as per the rules.

Darshan is one of the few superstars in the Kannada film industry. The budding industry, which had started to make its mark at the national level, has suffered a significant setback in light of these developments.

In the chargesheet, Pavithra Gowda is labelled as A-1, and Darshan as A-2. Fourteen individuals have been charged with murder, and 14 others face charges of abduction and murder. Karthik alias Kappe, Keshavamurthy, and Nikhil Nayak are charged with destruction of evidence.

The first volume contains a summary report of the case. The second volume comprises voluntary statements of 17 accused individuals. Volume number three has details of evidence both direct and circumstantial. The fourth volume has the post-mortem and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reports.

The fifth volume contains the FSL and CSFL analysis.

Sources said that after the receipt of the chargesheet copies to all the accused persons, the 24th ACMM court will commit the case and transfer it to the sessions court.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)