Darshan Thoogudeepa, popular Kannada actor arrested in connection with a murder case

Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa was arrested in connection with a murder case on Tuesday, June 11. The actor was picked up from his hotel in Mysuru and taken to Bengaluru by the jurisdictional police.

The local police in Bengaluru were investigating the murder of one Renukaswamy, who originally belonged to Chitradurga. When Darshan’s name also came up in connection with the murder, the interrogation of nine people required the police to arrest him.

The victim, Renukaswamy, was from Chitradurga. | Photo source: Special solution

It is said that Renukaswamy was allegedly murdered in connection with online harassment of Pavithra Gowda, a close friend of Mr. Darshan. Both Mr. Darshan and Ms. Pavithra, along with nine other accused, were detained for questioning at the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station in the city.

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According to the police, Renukaswamy was called to Bengaluru by the accused. He was then allegedly tortured and killed before his body was thrown into a drain in Kamakshipalya, near the police station, two months ago. The murder allegedly took place in a car shed in Pattanagere, which belongs to the uncle of one of the accused.

Initial investigation led the police to a missing person report registered at Chitradurga. During the investigation, three people surrendered, claiming that they killed Renukaswamy for financial reasons. However, further investigation led them to darshan.

Police personnel deployed around the residence of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa in Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bengaluru, June 11, 2024 | Photo credit: Murali Kumar. K

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Talking to the media, S. Girish, DCP western division, said, “We have arrested him (Darshan Thoogudeep) for the murder of one Renukaswamy from Chitradurga. A case was registered at Kamakshipalya police station. Another ten people have been detained and we are interrogating them. We cannot reveal any minute details at this stage.”

As the news of his arrest spread, policemen were deployed around the actor’s residence in Bengaluru’s Rajarajeshwari Nagar.

More details were awaited.