Kannada film star Darshan, Pavithra Gowda to stay in jail until July 18

All 17 accused were produced before the magistrate via video conference.

Bengaluru: A Bengaluru court on Thursday extended till July 18 the judicial custody of actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, his friend Pavithra Gowda, and 15 15 others accused of killing a Chitradurga man till July 18.

All 17 people accused in the murder of Renukaswamy appeared before the magistrate via video conference on Thursday.

The Special Public Prosecutor, P Prasanna Kumar, submitted a remand copy and sought an extension of judicial custody of the accused before the magistrate for 14 more days. 

The Special Public Prosecutor said that the accused had not filed bail applications yet, except for accused 17 Nikhil Naik. "We will file an objection to his bail application. The hearing is scheduled for July 6 (Saturday),” Kumar told DH. 

The accused, including those shifted to the Tumakuru jail, attended the hearing via video conference. Kumar noted that there was no necessity for the police to produce the accused before the magistrate in person for judicial custody extension, so it was held online. 

Kamakshipalya police arrested 17 people, including Darshan and Pavithra Gowda, for murdering Renukaswamy in early June.

A security guard of an apartment complex in western Bengaluru’s Sumanahalli found Renukaswamy’s body by the stormwater drain next to the complex. Even as the police launched a probe, four people surrendered before the investigators and claimed that they killed Renukaswamy.

However, a swift investigation by the police led them to 'The Challenging Star' Darshan alias D Boss and his close friend Pavithra Gowda. Police arrested 17 people and learnt that Renukaswamy was abducted from Chitradurga and was killed in a shed near west Bengaluru’s Pattanagere.

According to the police, Renukaswamy sent obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda on social media, which led to his murder.

SPP's arguments

The accused have no respect for the law.

The accused are influential people and could use their connections to derail the investigation. 

Six accused used SIM cards registered in someone else’s name. Their statements are yet to be recorded.

Police have seized Rs 83.6 lakh in cash so far. They are yet to trace the money trail and have to record statements from people who gave the money. 

It has been observed that the accused have tried to destroy evidence. There are chances that they will do it again.

Police have sent Darshan’s and Pavithra’s phones to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Hyderabad. A report is awaited.