Renukaswamy Murder Case: Pavithra Gowda and 6 Others Sent To Judicial Custody

Bengaluru: Actress Pavithra Gowda, who along with Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa has been arrested for the alleged murder of Renukaswamy has been remanded to judicial custody. Meanwhile, Darshan and the gang including Vinay, Pradosh, Lakshman, Dhanraj, and Nagaraj involved in Renukaswamy's kidnapping has been placed in police custody. Out of the 13 individuals accused, seven have been sent to judicial custody, while the remaining six are in police custody.

Earlier on Wednesday, Republic TV has accessed crime scene photos which revealed multiple bruises on Renukaswamy's body, along with a missing ear and ruptured testicles.  For the unversed, Renukaswamy, fan of Darshan, was abducted and brutally killed by a gang allegedly at the actor's behest, after he purportedly sent offensive messages on social media to Pavithra Gowda, rumoured to be Darshan's partner. The 33-year-old auto driver's body was found near a Bengaluru flyover on June 9th.

“From the spot of the crime, things such as lathi and wooden logs used for the alleged assault have been recovered along with water bottle, blood stains and material evidence, and DVR containing the CCTV footage,” an official said, adding, “blood stains were also found on the vehicle allegedly used for disposing of the body.”

According to the autopsy report, Renukaswamy’s death was caused due to shock and haemorrhage as a result of multiple blunt injuries he sustained. “Viscera samples have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for further analysis,” he added.   

Renukaswamy Murder Case: What Happened So Far

Police have arrested 17 people including Darshan and his actress friend Pavithra Gowda. 

Renukaswamy, a fan of Darshan Thoogudeepa, was abducted from his hometown of Chitradurga by a key club member and his associates and brought to Bengaluru where he was tortured and murdered. His body was found here on June 9.

According to police sources, Renukaswamy had sent obscene messages to Darshan's friend Pavithra Gowda, which enraged the actor, allegedly leading to his murder.

Renukaswamy, the man allegedly tortured and killed by Darshan had died of shock and haemorrhage, his autopsy report had revealed. 

Earlier officials probing the case had revealed chilling details that Renukaswamy was allegedly beaten up with a belt, and sticks and then thrown against a wall resulting in his death. According to police sources, Renukaswamy had sent obscene messages to Gowda, which enraged the actor, allegedly leading to his murder.

Full Details of the Accused Involved in The Renukaswamy Murder Case:

Accused 1 Pavithra Gowda - Arrested

She is said to be the primary instigator behind Renukaswamy's murder and was present at the scene and assaulted Renukaswamy with a slipper.

Accused 2 Darshan Thoogudeepa - Arrested

He conspired in Renukaswamy's kidnap and murder. Provided financial assistance for the kidnap and arranged for the surrender of others after the murder. Destroyed evidence. Main conspirator of the murder.

Accused 3 Pawan - Arrested

He was in contact with Raghavendra during the kidnapping and was one of the assaulters. He is a close aide and assistant at Darshan's residence. He took Rs 30 lakhs from Darshan and handed it to another accused Pradosh to bribe and conceal the crime.

Accused 4 Raghavendra - Arrested

President of Darshan Fans Association, Chitradurga. He kidnapped Renukaswamy on behalf of Darshan and Pavithra. Present at the murder site and participated in the attack.

Accused 5 Nandish - Arrested

He was part of the gang that assaulted and murdered Renukaswamy. He instructed Dhanraj to bring an electric megger to give shocks to Renukaswamy and inflicted severe injuries.

Accused 6 Jagadish - Arrested

Member of the kidnapping team. Brought from Chitradurga and fled after the murder.

Accused 7 Anukumar - Arrested

Member of the kidnapping team. Brought from Chitradurga and fled after the murder.

Accused 8 Ravishankar - Arrested

Driver who brought the victim from Chitradurga. Other accused rented his car from Chitradurga and fled in it after the murder.

Accused 9 Dhanraj - Arrested

Dhanraj worked as a cable worker in Bengaluru with Nandish. On the day of the murder, Nandish called Dhanraj to the godown in Pattanagere and instructed him to bring an electrical megger, which was used to give electric shocks to Renukaswamy.

Accused 10 Vinay - Arrested

Close associate of Darshan, owner of Stony Brook Restaurant. Key accused in the assault and murder of Renukaswamy. He also consulted a PSI for advice on concealing the murder.

Accused 11 Nagaraju - Arrested

Unauthorized manager of actor Darshan. He was among those who assaulted and murdered Renukaswamy using an iron rod. Changed the victim's clothes after the murder.

Accused 12 Lakshman - Arrested

Driver for Darshan; present during the attack. Participated in the assault and murder of Renukaswamy. Arranged for the transport of the body.

Accused 13 Deepak - Arrested

Close associate of actor Darshan; present on the day of the attack. Organized fall guys who confessed to the murder. Paid ₹10 lakhs to two individuals as instructed by Darshan.

Accused 14 Pradosh - Arrested

Attacked Renukaswamy alongside actor Darshan. Received ₹30 lakhs for expenses from Darshan. Convinced four fall guys to surrender through Deepak. Arranged for Darshan to meet with the accused when they were scared.

Accused 15 Karthik - Arrested

Worked in the Pattanagere shed. Transported the body and surrendered to the police.

Accused 16 Keshavamurthy - Arrested

Present with Darshan; assaulted Renukaswamy. Surrendered as per Darshan's instructions.

Accused 17 Nikhil - Arrested

Received Rs 5 lakhs after the murder and transported the body and surrendered to police.

Darshan Fan club Under Scanner

Fan clubs of Darshan Thoogudeepa are now under police scanner.  “The role of fan clubs is very dubious, especially after the Renukaswamy murder case. The Chitradurga Darshan Fan Club convener Raghavendra alias Raghu and his accomplices were instrumental in the abduction of the victim,” a police officer said.

BJP Karnataka unit delegation, led by its state President B Y Vijayendra, on Tuesday, met the family of Renukaswamy.

"Renukaswamy's murder is inhuman and no one in the civilised society can support it. Everyone has to condemn this incident in the strongest terms. This heinous murder is being discussed not only in the state but nationally. Looking at his parents and wife, it hurts and we are unable to understand how to console them and instil courage in them," Vijayendra said after consoling the family.