Renukaswamy murder case: Darshan, three others sent to judicial custody till July 4, taken to Parappana Agrahara

Bengaluru: Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and his three associates on Saturday were escorted to the Parappana Agrahara Central Jail after a magistrate remanded them to judicial custody till July 4.

The Bengaluru police arrested Darshan, Pavithra Gowda and 15 others in the murder of Renukaswamy from Chitradurga.

Late afternoon on Saturday, Darshan, Vinay V, Dhanraj D and Pradosh were produced before the 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) on Nrupathunga Road after their two-day extended custody ended. The magistrate remanded the four to judicial custody as the police did not seek a further extension.

While Darshan, Vinay, Dhanraj and Pradosh were in police custody for 12 days, Pavithra Gowda and 12 others were sent to judicial custody on June 20 after being questioned by the investigators for 10 days. The police had sought the extension of the custody of Darshan and the other three as some aspects of the investigation were pending and since they were not cooperating with the probe.

Amid tight security, the ‘Challenging Star’ and his three associates were moved to the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison Complex. Jurisdictional police also heightened the area's security, anticipating a gathering of fans, which may affect law and order.

A large gathering, mainly consisting of fans who were waiting for a glimpse of the actor, proved a challenge police. Security personnel moved Darshan inside their van before he was escorted out of the court premises even as the people gathered were recording videos on their mobile phones.

According to sources, Darshan was given 6106 as his Undertrial Prisoner (UTP) number and would be held in a separate cell on security grounds. Dhanraj, Vinay and Pradosh were given 6107, 6108 and 6109 as UTP numbers.

In 2011, Darshan was arrested and spent four weeks in jail after his wife Vijayalakshmi had accused him of domestic violence.

Decision on moving suspects to Tumakuru jail

In the remand application filed on Saturday, it was noted that some arrested suspects were in danger of being assaulted by other arrested or those inmates who were fans of Darshan. It was brought to the notice of the magistrate and a plea was made to move those suspects, whose names were withheld, to the Tumakuru District Jail.

Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) P Prasanna Kumar told DH that the court’s decision is expected on Monday.

“Next, the process of filing the chargesheet will begin,” the SPP said.

SPP Kumar also argued against granting bail to the arrested suspects as they were influential and chances were high of them threatening the witnesses or destroying evidence.

“There was also a need to gather further evidence. If the arrested were granted bail, they may use their influence to destroy evidence and obstruct the probe,” the remand application noted.

Another case filed

Meanwhile, a complaint was filed at the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station regarding the associates of Darshan allegedly threatening witnesses.