Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru  

Bengaluru, Sep 23: In a significant development in the Renukaswamy murder case from Chitradurga, three accused have been granted bail for the first time. Karthik (A15), Keshavamurthy (A16), and Nikhil Naik (A17) have been granted conditional bail. Bail was secured after nearly a month in this murder case, with all three individuals having surrendered at the police station.

Keshavamurthy, the 16th accused in the case, who hails from Bengaluru’s Heerenahalli, was granted conditional bail by the High Court. Justice Vishwajith Shetty approved the bail with conditions, including that the accused should not influence witnesses and must provide a personal surety. The defense lawyer Ranganath Reddy argued on behalf of the accused. Keshavamurthy was among those who surrendered after the Renukaswamy murder case.

Additionally, Karthik (A15) and Nikhil Naik (A17) were granted conditional bail by the 57th Sessions Court, with the order issued by Judge Jaishankar. Following instructions from Darshan’s close aides, they confessed to killing Renukaswamy over a financial dispute and surrendered to the police in Chitradurga.

Among those who surrendered, Keshavamurthy, Nikhil Naik, and Karthik alias Kappe were charged with evidence tampering. The three also allegedly helped move the body from Pattangere shed. During the interrogation, it was revealed that Darshan and his close aide Pavithra Gowda played a role in the murder. Based on this information, 17 individuals, including Darshan, were arrested on June 11.

A deal worth Rs 30 lakh had been arranged through the accused Vinay, Nagaraj, and Lakshman to cover up the case. The accused were instructed to surrender to the police, claiming the murder occurred over a financial dispute. Each of them was promised Rs 5 lac, with assurances that bail expenses would be covered. However, during interrogation, the police discovered Darshan’s link to the murder.

In the charge sheet, the police have listed charges of murder and kidnapping against 14 individuals, including actor Darshan, while Keshava, Karthik, and Kappe face charges of evidence tampering.

In connection with the same case, the 57th City Civil Court of Bengaluru conducted a hearing today on the bail plea of actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and his close friend Pavithra Gowda. Both were denied bail. The hearing of Darshan's bail plea has been postponed to September 27, while Pavithra Gowda’s plea will be heard on September 25.