Actor Darshan borrowed Rs 40 lakh from friend, paid others to destroy evidence: Cops

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, June 21, 2024: The probe into the Renukaswamy murder case has revealed that popular Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa had borrowed Rs 40 lakh from one of his friends to pay off other accused to destroy evidence linked with the murder. The actor confessed to the same in a statement to the police.

Renukaswamy (33), a devoted fan of actor Darshan, was killed allegedly for making derogatory comments on social media about Kannada actress Pavithra Gowda, who is Darshan’s close friend and alleged partner.

The body of Renukasawamy was found near a flyover in Bengaluru on June 9. Within two days, on June 11, Karnataka Police arrested actor Darshan. The probe revealed that Renukasawamy was kidnapped and murdered by a gang under his direction.

Darshan confessed to borrowing an additional Rs 40 lakh to pay off other accomplices to destroy evidence, in addition to the Rs 30 lakh he had already paid others to surrender.

Some of the accused in police custody had earlier confessed that Darshan paid Rs 30 lakh to kill Renukaswamy, dispose of the body and destroy evidence. They were also paid off to turn themselves in and take the blame for the murder, as per the investigation report.

The police have seized Rs 40 lakh in cash and also identified the person who lent the money as Mohan Raj, a friend of the actor.

The police have gathered information that Darshan took the cash to pay off people to avoid legal hurdles and destroy evidence in the case.

This information has been included in the police remand application based on Darshan’s statement.

A Bengaluru court on Thursday extended police custody of actor Darshan and three other accused in the Renukaswamy murder case by two days. Thirteen other accused, including the actor’s friend Pavithra Gowda, were remanded to 14 days’ judicial custody. A total of 17 people are accused in the murder case.