Karnataka Police have submitted a comprehensive charge sheet on Wednesday against jailed Kannada superstar Darshan, his partner Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others in connection with the sensational murder of Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor. The charge sheet was submitted to the 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) in Bengaluru.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) West, S. Girish, who supervised the investigation, confirmed the development and stated that the charge sheet lists 231 witnesses, including three eyewitnesses, as reported by IANS.
"In connection with the Renukaswamy murder case registered with Kamakshipalya police station in Bengaluru, 17 persons have been arrested, and the investigation officers are submitting the charge sheet regarding the collection of eyewitness, circumstantial, technical, scientific, and other evidence against them," DCP Girish stated, as per the report.
Renukaswamy Murder Case: What Does Charge Sheet Say?
The charge sheet, spanning 3,991 pages across seven volumes and ten files, includes eight pieces of evidence from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Hyderabad. It contains the statements of 97 witnesses recorded under Sections 161 and 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), with 27 witnesses providing their statements under Section 164.
The document also names eight government officials, including tehsildars, RTO officials, and engineers as witnesses. Additionally, 56 police officers are listed as witnesses in the case.
The police have collected over 200 pieces of circumstantial evidence including CCTV footage of Darshan and bloodstains on actor Pavithra Gowda's footwear. They have also collected forensic reports of bloodstains found on the clothing of Darshan and other accused. Critical evidence also includes a photograph from the crime scene showing Renukaswamy pleading with the accused not to beat him, according to a report by India Today.
The investigation was carried out under the guidance of Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda and Additional Police Commissioner (West) Satish Kumar. The case was cracked by a team led by ACP Chandan Kumar of the Vijayanagar sub-division.