Darshan Thoogudeepa : Darshan Thoogudeepa Case: Driver Surrenders | Latest News India

In a significant development in the murder case involving popular Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, his girlfriend Pavithra Gowda, and 11 others as accused, the driver identified as Ravi, who transported Renuka Swamy, whose body was later discovered, reportedly surrendered before the deputy superintendent of police’s office in Chitradurga, Karnataka, on Thursday night.

Another suspect, identified as Raghu alias Raghavendra, along with others, arranged a taxi to transport Renuka Swamy to Bengaluru on June 8. All the suspects boarded Ravi’s cab in Chitradurga city and arrived in Bengaluru later that evening, as reported by NDTV.

After dropping off Renuka Swamy in Bengaluru, Ravi went into hiding. He later contacted the taxi association in Chitradurga, who advised him to surrender to the police, NDTV added, citing unnamed sources.

Raghu, who managed a fan club for Darshan Thoogudeepa in Chitradurga, was reportedly hired by the actor to gather information on Renuka Swamy. Renuka Swamy’s wife claimed he was kidnapped near their home, the report added.

Recently, CCTV camera footage emerged showing two cars driving away from the area where the body was dumped on the night of the murder. One of the cars is linked to the actor accused in the case.

The actor and his associates allegedly took Renuka Swamy to a shed in Bengaluru’s Kamakshipalya, where Darshan is said to have beaten him with a belt while his associates struck him with sticks until he lost consciousness. He was then slammed against a wall, causing multiple fractures.

When the body was discovered by a food delivery rider, dogs were reportedly nibbling on it.

Darshan Thoogudeepa, popularly known as “Challenging Star”, and his associates were arrested on Tuesday for the murder of 33-year-old Renuka Swamy, a fan of the actor. Renuka Swamy, a resident of district headquarters town of Chitradurga, allegedly left comments on the social media account of Pavithra Gowda, a small-time actress, accusing her of creating a rift between the actor and his wife.

He also allegedly used “indecent language” and posted offensive messages, according to police sources. Meanwhile, Bengaluru Police have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) within a 200-metre radius of the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station, where the suspects are being held and interrogated, prohibiting public gatherings.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara denied reports on Friday that Darshan Thoogudeepa and his associates were receiving “royal treatment” at a police station where they are detained after their arrest.

He stated that Darshan is receiving the same treatment as any other accused, clarifying that neither ‘biryani’ was served nor special facilities were provided to him.