Kannada actor Darshan case: victim wasn't kidnapped, says coaccused

Bengaluru: In the Karnataka murder case in which Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa is involved, the taxi driver who had surrendered before the probe team testified that victim Renuka Swamy was not kidnapped to Bengaluru, NDTV reported.

Ravi also said that he was instructed to own up for the murder in place of Darshan but refused.

Victim Swamy, who is a resident of Chitradurga, allegedly wrote obscene comments on posts by Darshan's girlfriend and actress Pavithra Gowda, which was the motive behind the murder.

Ravi, who was the driver of the taxi which picked Swamy from his home, said that Swamy did not anticipate the assault when he got into the cab. The coaccused in the case persuaded Swamy to go with them and assured the victim that they would take him to meet Darshan and he could apologise for his comments on Pavithra's's post.

Meanwhile, there were allegations that Darshan had been provided with preferential treatment at the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station after he was arrested. He was allegedly served 'Biriyani'. However, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara rubbished the allegations. Both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also denied that the government was running influence in this case in favour of the actor. There were reports that a state minister had been attempting to protect the actor, but Shivakumar strongly denied that, either.

In this case, police arrested Darshan, Pavithra, and 11 others. It is alleged that Pavithra prompted Darshan to commit the murder.

Swamy's autopsy came out a day ago, and it suggested that he died of shock and haemorrhage. There were 15 wounds found on his body, which were located on the head, abdomen, chest and other parts. The autopsy report suggested that his head was rammed into a mini truck parked in a shed in Bengaluru, where he was brought from Chitradurga. NDTV reported that police seized the vehicle. Police also recovered wooden logs, a leather belt, and a rope used in the crime.

As per allegations, actor Darshan planted three men to take the blame, but police exposed them during interrogation. Police learned that Darshan offered five lakhs each to the three arrested, including Ravi.

On Friday, driver Ravi had surrendered before the police. The driver had taken Swamy from Chitradurga to Bengaluru. A second accused, Raghu alias Raghavendra, had arranged Ravi's taxi and boarded it in Chitradurga, according to NDTV.

Swamy was taken to a shed in Bengaluru's Kamakshipalya, where Darshan thrashed him with a belt while they coaccused him with sticks until he lost consciousness. The assault caused multiple fractures and severe injuries to Swamy's body. His body was later found by a food delivery rider, NDTV reported.

Ravi had gone into hiding after dropping the assaulters at Bengaluru. Raghu, who ran a fan club for Darshan in Chitradurga, was hired by the actor to gather information about Swamy.