What led renowned Kannada actor Darshan to brutally kill Renukaswamy and actress Pavithra Gowda role in crime | In Detail
PTC Web Desk: Disturbing revelations have surfaced in the murder investigation against renowned Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa. The case pertains to the brutal killing of Renukaswamy, whose body was found in a drain in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Darshan, affectionately known to his fans as ‘Challenging Star’, was arrested from his Mysuru farmhouse on Tuesday. His co-star and girlfriend, Pavithra Gowda, along with 11 persons, have also been taken into custody.
Pavithra Gowda has been identified as the principal suspect, with Darshan named as the second accused. Here are five harrowing details from the ongoing probe:
The trigger point
Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga, allegedly posted lewd comments on Pavithra Gowda’s social media, prompting her to urge Darshan to retaliate, according to sources.
Darshan reportedly enlisted Raghavendra, also known as Raghu, the leader of his fan club in Chitradurga, to gather information on Renukaswamy. The victim’s wife claimed it was Raghu who picked him up from near their home.
The victim was allegedly kidnapped and taken to a shed in Bengaluru’s Kamakshipalya. There, Darshan is accused of beating Renukaswamy with a belt while his aides attacked him with sticks until he lost consciousness. He was then slammed against a wall, sustaining multiple bone fractures.
The victim’s body was allegedly dumped in a storm water drain, where it was found being gnawed by dogs, as discovered by a food delivery executive who alerted the authorities.
The Karnataka Police informed the court on Tuesday that Darshan and Pavithra Gowda are not cooperating with the investigation and are withholding information. The authorities are also looking for four more suspects.
The arrest of Darshan has left his fans in a state of shock and disbelief. Crowds have gathered outside police stations where Darshan is being interrogated, leading to police using lathicharge to control the situation. The Karnataka Police have been granted the authority to proceed with legal action against Darshan and the other accused, according to the state’s Home Minister, G Parameshwara.
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) President, N M Suresh, said the organisation is considering taking action against Darshan following discussions with the artists’ union, likely after the police file a charge sheet in the case.
Who is Pavithra Gowda?
Pavithra Gowda is a versatile Kannada actress known for her roles in films and television. Her notable appearances include performances in “Chatrigalu Saar Chatrigalu,” “Agamya,” and “Preethi Kithabu.” She ventured into Kollywood in 2016 with her debut in the movie “54321.”
Beyond acting, Pavithra Gowda is also a model and artist, as highlighted in her Instagram bio. Recently, she has expanded her career into fashion designing and manages her own boutique, Red Carpet Studio 777, which specialises in traditional sarees and outfits.
In addition to her professional achievements, Pavithra Gowda is the girlfriend of popular Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa. She caused quite a stir on social media earlier this year by posting a video on Instagram celebrating “10 years of our relationship” with Darshan. This revelation was particularly controversial given that Darshan has been married to Vijaya Lakshmi for over 20 years.