Popular Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, arrested in connection with the murder of his 33-year-old fan Renukaswamy, was partying at a pub in Bengaluru on the day of the latter's murder, sources told media. Darshan later went to the shed after partying where Renukaswamy was allegedly kidnapped and held there before his death, they added.
Darshan's friend Pavithra Gowda, also arrested in the case, was present inside the shed during the assault of Renukaswamy, sources said. Renukaswamy had allegedly written derogatory messages against her on social media, which infuriated Darshan, according to police.
After Renukaswamy's murder, three of the accused went to a Reliance Trends shop in RR Nagar in Bengaluru to replace their clothes as the ones they were originally wearing were blood-stained, they said.
On Monday, Bengaluru Police took the accused to the same shop to recreate the crime scene. Darshan might be taken to Mysuru to recreate the crime scene.
According to sources, Renukaswamy's gold chain and wallet were found at the accused Raghavendra's house in Chitradurga. The accused also took away the fan's gold chain as well.
Renukaswamy, an autorickshaw driver and a member of Darshan's fan club, was allegedly kidnapped from Chitradurga district on June 8 after sending derogatory messages to Gowda. His body was later found near Sumanahalli Bridge in Bengaluru.
A post-mortem report of Renukaswamy revealed that he was tortured and given electric shocks before his death. Details of the alleged torture were disclosed by Dhanraj, who was arrested in connection with the case on June 16.
The police have so far arrested 19 people, including Darshan and Gowda, in the case.
