Update

Bengaluru, June 11 (IANS): The police on Tuesday named Kannada superstar Darshan as the accused No. 2 and his 'partner' Pavithra Gowda as the prime accused in the alleged murder of a man named Renukaswamy (33) from Chitradurga, who was a big fan of the actor, sources said. 

The police have arrested 13 persons in connection with the case, including Darshan and his 'partner' Pavithra Gowda, the sources said. 

The accused were taken to the Bowring Hospital for a medical check-up after which they will be produced before the court where the police are likely to seek their custody for further investigation. 

The other accused persons have been identified as Pavan, M. Laxman, Nikhil Nayak, Keshava Murthy, Karthik, M. Deepak Kumar, R. Nagaraju, and Raghavendra, among others. 

Darshan was arrested on Tuesday morning in connection with the alleged murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, whose body was found in Bengaluru on June 9. 

The probe said the deceased was a die-hard fan of Darshan. 

While the police earlier maintained that the actor had been detained for questioning, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara later confirmed the arrest. 

“His role came up during the investigation, based on which Darshan is being investigated by the police. Nothing more can be said about the murder now. Darshan is in police custody, and considering the seriousness of the case, he has been arrested,” Parameshwara said. 

Meanwhile, sources said the actor allegedly tried to mislead the police by implicating four of his fans after Renukaswamy’s body was found in a canal. 

When the police questioned them, they claimed to have committed the crime over a financial dispute. However, their statements were not convincing. 

When their call records were checked, Darshan’s role in the case became apparent, sources said. 

Preliminary investigations revealed that Renukaswamy was a hardcore fan of Darshan and was reportedly disturbed by the conflict between Darshan's first wife and partner. 

Renukaswamy wanted Darshan to be with his first wife and son, so he targeted Pavithra Gowda whenever she posted her photos with the actor on social media. 

Police sources said Darshan and his associates allegedly attacked Renukaswamy brutally, hitting him on his head, face, chest, and back. The accused also slashed his nose, mouth, and jaw. 

Burn injuries were found on the body, hinting at the use of a hot iron rod. 

Sources claimed that more than 10 people attacked Renukaswamy, including Darshan, and threw him against a wall multiple times. 

The deceased's family said that Renukaswamy worked at a pharmacy and got married a year ago. His wife is three-month pregnant. 

The murder came to light on June 9 after an unidentified body was found in a canal. 

Earlier Report

Kannada superstar Darshan’s 'partner' Pavithra Gowda questioned over fan’s murder

Bengaluru, June 11 (IANS): Kannada superstar Darshan’s 'partner', Pavithra Gowda, was questioned by the police on Tuesday in connection with the murder case of the actor’s fan, 33-year-old Renukaswamy.

Police sources stated that Pavithra Gowda is being questioned on charges of allegedly conspiring in the crime.

They said police have leads indicating that Pavithra Gowda was present when Darshan and his associates were allegedly attacking the victim.

Sources also said that after Renukaprasad died due to the grievous injuries inflicted allegedly by the actor and his henchmen, Darshan had beaten her up as well, saying that the trouble happened because of her.

The victim, Renukaprasad, used to post derogatory messages on Pavithra Gowda’s Instagram every time she used to put up her pictures with Darshan.

Following this, he was allegedly kidnapped from Chitradurga, brought to Bengaluru, and later tortured to death, allegedly by actor Darshan and his associates.

Meanwhile, advocate Narayanaswamy clarified that the actor has not been arrested yet.

“My client Darshan has just been called for the investigation of a murder case. Darshan is issuing a statement that he is in no way connected to the incident,” he stated.

Anil, another advocate who met the actor at the police station said, “Darshan has been implicated under IPC Section 302. We will know more details after he is produced before the court.”

Darshan is the son of the late veteran actor Tugudeepa Srinivas.

Following the untimely death of his father, Darshan started his career from scratch as a light boy and actor in soap operas.

Gradually, he established himself as a hero with his first movie ‘Majestic.’

In a few years, he established himself as a successful action hero.

At present, he is one of the most popular and sought-after heroes in the Kannada film industry.

Darshan has a massive following throughout the state but he often landed into controversies.

Darshan was jailed for assaulting his first wife Vijaya Lakshmi Darshan, but after coming back from prison, his fan following surprisingly doubled, and he went on to become a superstar.

However, Darshan was recently seen with his first wife on social media and he was busy with his ambitious project ‘Devil.’

When everything seemed to be going in the right direction, Darshan landed in a major crisis with his alleged involvement in a murder case.

Darshan also produces and distributes films. He runs a mini zoo in Mysuru and has a passion for cars and bikes.