Three top Bengaluru Police officers coordinated a swift operation to solve the Renukasawamy murder case and arrest Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, demonstrating quick action and careful attention to details.
Renukasawamy, a 33-year-old auto driver, was discovered near a flyover in Bengaluru on June 9. Karnataka Police swiftly arrested well-known Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa just two days later, on June 11. The investigation showed that Renukasawamy had been abducted and killed by a gang acting on Darshan’s orders.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda personally oversaw the case, and Deputy Commissioner (DCP) of Bengaluru West Zone S Girish made a significant breakthrough in the investigation. Assistant Commissioner Chandan Kumar apprehended the actor.
S Girish’s investigation revealed Darshan’s connection to the murder. He promptly noticed discrepancies in the statements of three men who confessed to their role in the crime.
Initially, Girish was puzzled as to why four men from Bangalore would kill a victim from Chitradurga, which is 200 kilometers away. He identified inconsistencies in their stories, which eventually led the investigation to focus on Vinay V, a restaurant owner in RR Nagar, Bengaluru.
Vinay told the DCP that Darshan was upset about Renukasawamy’s comments on social media about his wife, actor Pavithra Gowda, and that Renukasawamy was tortured on Darshan’s orders. Further investigation found CCTV footage showing vehicles linked to Darshan near the scene of the crime.
With Darshan’s involvement confirmed, the police decided to apprehend the actor.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Vijayanagara, Chandan Kumar, was assigned to arrest Darshan in Mysore.
How did Bengaluru police solve the case?
Chandan reached the Mysore hotel where Darshan was staying early on the morning of June 11. Despite Darshan’s request to use his own vehicle, the ACP denied his plea and escorted him into the police vehicle.
Chandan informed the actor, “You are a suspect. You have no choice. Either you come in the police car, or we will not hesitate to hold your collar and push you inside. Be quiet and get in the car.”
There were alleged pressures from political figures, influential individuals, and Darshan’s fan groups to handle the actor leniently. However, under Commissioner B Dayananda’s supervision, the case was swiftly resolved. He guided Girish and Kumar in the investigation and personally reviewed the evidence to ensure its strength.
The police team also examined technical data, such as mobile tower locations and call recordings.
The investigation revealed that Renukasawamy had reportedly made insulting remarks about Gowda on social media, blaming her for creating discord between Darshan and his wife.
One of the suspects, Raghavendra, a member of Darshan’s fan club in Chitradurga, tricked Renukasawamy into a meeting at a shed in RR Nagar, claiming it was with Darshan. It was there that Renukasawamy was tortured and murdered. The investigation found that Darshan himself attacked the victim.
Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and 12 others have been arrested in connection with the murder. A Bengaluru court extended their police custody by five days, until June 20.
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