Karnataka 'Fan Murder': Actors Darshan, Pavithra Not Cooperating With Probe, Say Police

A remand application submitted to the court on Tuesday highlighted the non-cooperation and fact-hiding by Darshan and Pavithra.

According to sources, Darshan and Pavithra Gowda have been uncooperative with the investigation.

Source : Instagram/@darshanthoogudeepashrinivas

The Karnataka Police are actively investigating the murder of 33-year-old Renukaprasad allegedly by Kannada superstar Darshan Thoogudeepa, his second wife Pavithra Gowda, and several others implicated in the case. According to sources, Darshan and Pavithra Gowda have been uncooperative with the investigation.

A remand application submitted to the court on Tuesday highlighted the non-cooperation and fact-hiding by Darshan and Pavithra. In response, the court has remanded the accused to six-day police custody to aid the ongoing investigation.

The investigation has so far revealed the involvement of 17 individuals in the murder of Renukaprasad. Four of these individuals, identified as Jagadish alias Jagga, Anu, Ravi, and Raju, are currently absconding, and police efforts are underway to locate and apprehend them.

Pavithra Gowda, 33, has been identified as the main accused, while 47-year-old actor Darshan, also known as D Boss, is named as the second accused. Other individuals implicated in the case include Puttaswamy alias Pavan K. (29), Raghavendra (43), Nandeesha (28), Vinay (38), Nagaraju (41), Lakshmana (54), Deepak (39), Pradoosh (40), Karthik alias Kappe (27), Keshavamurthy (27), and Nikhil Nayak (21).

The police have charged the accused under IPC Section 302 (murder) and Section 201 (causing disappearance of evidence and giving false information to screen the offender). 

On Actor Darshan Thoogudeepa's arrest, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh said, "The police are doing their job and we need to have faith in the police. I don't see any kind of influence working in these cases. Since its a murder case, I am sure there will be no room for any kind of pressure on the investigation. This is a heinous crime, and if he is responsible, he should face the consequences, and if he's not, let the court decide... It is painful for the Kannada film industry."

The 33-year-old Renukaswamy incurred Darshan's wrath for making lewd comments about Gowda on her social media posts, according to police sources.

"It was Pavithra who instigated Darshan to punish Renukaswamy. Accordingly, the plan was hatched. Darshan engaged the Chitradurga unit of Darshan Fan Club Convenor Raghavendra alias Raghu, who obtained all information about Renukaswamy," he said. 

On the day of the incident, Darshan beat Renukaswamy with a belt. After Renukaswamy fell unconscious, Darshan's accomplices attacked him with sticks. They then threw him against a wall, resulting in multiple bone fractures that proved fatal. After the murder, his body was dumped in a storm-water drain in the Kamakshipalya area of the city, according to police sources.