Victim in Darshan Thoogudeepa case was not kidnapped, says driver who drove him
Bengaluru: The driver accused in a murder case involving popular Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and his girlfriend Pavithra Gowda, informed the police that he was asked to take the blame for the murder but declined, media reported.
Ravi stated that victim Renukaswamy was unaware that he would be harmed when he entered the cab. However, he was not forced but was convinced by others to join them, according to an NDTV report.
Once in the cab, the co-accused assured Renukaswamy that they would take him to meet Darshan and advised him to apologise for his social media comments against the actor's girlfriend.
Darshan, along with Pavithra Gowda and 11 others, is currently in police custody.
Gowda is alleged to have asked Darshan to punish Renukaswamy for his derogatory remarks on her social media posts.
Ravi transported Renukaswamy from Chitradurga to Bengaluru, a trip of around 200 kms.
After reaching Bengaluru, Ravi went into hiding but later contacted the taxi association in Chitradurga, which advised him to surrender to the police. Ravi's surrender on Thursday night to the Deputy Superintendent of Police's office in Chitradurga has provided new insights into the investigation.
The police revealed that Raghu, also known as Raghavendra, who managed Darshan's fan club in Chitradurga, arranged the taxi Ravi drove.
Raghu and others arranged the kidnapping of Renukaswamy on June 8, leading to his assault and death.
Investigation details reveal that Darshan and his associates took Swamy to a shed in Bengaluru's Kamakshipalya, where Darshan allegedly beat Swamy with a belt, while his aides assaulted him with sticks until he lost consciousness.
This brutal attack resulted in multiple fractures and severe injuries. Renuka Swamy's body was later found by a food delivery rider, being nibbled by dogs.
The autopsy report confirmed the horrific nature of the murder, pointing out shock and hemorrhage as the cause of death and noting 15 wounds on Swamy's body, including injuries to the head, abdomen, chest, and other areas.
His head was also smashed against a mini-truck parked at the shed, contributing to the fatal injuries. The police seized the truck and other tools used in the torture, including wooden logs, a leather belt, and a rope.
Darshan is alleged to have offered three men Rs 5 lakh each to take the blame for the murder.
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