Police to book former Big Boss Kannada contestants for evidence destruction

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru police have decided to invoke charges related to destruction of evidence against two former Bigg Boss Kannada contestants for brandishing a machete in an Instagram reel.

"Regarding the case, investigators will add the charge of destruction of evidence as it was found that the suspects attempted to mislead the probe," Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda said during a news briefing on Friday.

The Basaveshwara Nagar police arrested Rajath Kishan and Vinay Gowda earlier this week after registering an FIR against them on March 20.

The two were issued notices, but released on March 24 after they submitted the "machete" used in the video to the police. According to the police, it appeared to be made of fibre and resembled a prop used in movies.

However, the police later discovered — after being alerted by reporters — that the machete used in the Instagram video was different from the one recovered by investigators. This was also confirmed by forensic analysis, the police said.

The machete

Bail granted

The duo was subsequently placed under arrest and sent to police custody for three days. The police are yet to recover the actual machete used in the video.

On Friday evening, after their police custody ended, the two were produced before a magistrate in Bengaluru. They were granted bail and directed to submit a surety of Rs 10,000 each.

However, they are likely to remain in jail until the jailer at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru receives the court order.