Karnataka Police’s chargesheet confirms actor Darshan’s presence during brutal murder of Renukaswamy

BENGALURU: The once-celebrated Kannada film star Darshan is now facing serious allegations of brutality and violence that have left the entertainment industry and the public in shock. Accused of orchestrating the merciless assault and subsequent murder of  Chitradurga resident  Renukaswamy, Darshan’s reputation as a beloved star has come crashing down amidst disturbing revelations of his alleged involvement in this heinous crime.

The incident, which took place on June 8, began as a personal feud between  Darshan and  Renuka Swamy  but quickly escalated into a tragic sequence of events that ended in Renukaswamy’s brutal  murder. The trigger for this deadly encounter was reportedly obscene messages that Renukaswamy had sent to Darshan’s girlfriend, Pavithra Gowda, via social media. According to police reports, Darshan, outraged by these lewd advances, took justice into his own hands, leading to an act of savagery that has sent shockwaves across Karnataka.

The charge sheet filed by investigators paints a terrifying picture of the events leading up to Renukaswamy’s death. On Darshan’s orders, his accomplices kidnapped Renukaswamy and took him to a shed in Pattanagere. The actor was lured into a deadly trap, unaware that he was about to face unimaginable cruelty at the hands of one of the most prominent figures in Kannada cinema.

Chargesheet said when Darshan arrived at the shed, the situation escalated quickly. Fuelled by anger and a sense of invincibility, Darshan reportedly seized Renukaswamy’s phone and began reading out the offensive messages the latter had sent to Pavithra Gowda. Eyewitness accounts and the charge sheet describe how Darshan physically assaulted Renukaswamy in a series of barbaric blows. He was said to have stomped on the victim’s chest, verbally berating him, asking how a man with a modest ₹20,000 salary could dare make advances toward his girlfriend.

Darshan’s verbal tirades were reportedly coupled with a range of physical attacks, including slaps and kicks, and the use of crude weapons such as tree branches, nylon ropes, and even electric shocks to torture Renukaswamy. Throughout the ordeal, Darshan’s accomplices also participated, encouraged by the actor’s aggression. The situation reached its breaking point when Darshan, filled with rage, reportedly mocked Renukaswamy over his supposed inferiority, proclaiming that his stardom and influence made him untouchable by law.

In a shocking twist, Pavithra Gowda, Darshan’s girlfriend, was also present during the assault. She allegedly joined in the violence, furiously striking Renukaswamy with her sandal and taunting him for the offensive messages he had sent her. Pavithra’s participation further highlighted the personal nature of the attack, and her role has only added to the weight of the charges against Darshan and his associates.

The chilling detail of Darshan and Pavithra’s actions reveals a level of brutality that has left even seasoned investigators horrified. According to the chargesheet, Renukaswamy had begged for mercy, asking for forgiveness and pleading for his life, but his cries were met with more violence. It is reported that Pavithra accused him of demeaning her and questioned his audacity to make such obscene advances, while Darshan’s fury only escalated, leading to more physical abuse.

Investigators believe that Darshan’s actions were not impulsive but part of a pre-meditated conspiracy. The fact that Renukaswamy was kidnapped and brought to the shed on Darshan’s orders points to a calculated plan to humiliate and harm the actor. Technical evidence, including numerous WhatsApp conversations between Darshan and his accomplices, indicates that there was significant coordination in carrying out the attack.

The chargesheet outlines how Darshan coordinated with his close friend Pawan, who had initially informed him about Renukaswamy’s offensive behavior. After learning of Renukaswamy’s advances toward Pavithra, Darshan is alleged to have instructed his accomplices—Pawan, Raghavendra, Nandish, and Dhanraj—to abduct Renukaswamy and bring him to the shed. Once there, Darshan reportedly called Pavithra to inform her that the man responsible for the lewd messages had been captured.

After Renukaswamy succumbed to the relentless torture, Darshan and his associates allegedly panicked and devised a plan to cover up the murder. According to the chargesheet, Darshan instructed his accomplices to dispose of the body discreetly, warning them not to let his name be associated with the crime. He is reported to have said, “My holy name should not come out for any reason,” emphasising his belief that his stardom would shield him from any legal repercussions.

The level of coordination in the cover-up is also alarming. The investigation has revealed that 32 WhatsApp conversations between Darshan and his associates took place between June 8 and June 11, as they scrambled to conceal the evidence of their crime. Photos from Vinay’s mobile, which show Renukaswamy being followed and brought to the shed, as well as photos of the assault, have been collected as critical evidence. Additionally, audio conversations from Deepak’s mobile have provided more damning proof of the group’s conspiracy.

In a significant development, cyber experts have recovered deleted photos and messages from Pavithra Gowda’s iPhone. Among these were screenshots of the obscene messages that Renukaswamy had sent her, further cementing the motive behind the attack. The evidence suggests that Darshan, after reading the messages, flew into a violent rage and resolved to seek revenge.

Furthermore, Darshan’s associates also played an integral role in tampering with digital evidence. Police sources have indicated that WhatsApp conversations and screenshots were manipulated in an attempt to obscure the full extent of Darshan’s involvement. However, despite these efforts, investigators have managed to recover crucial data that will serve as key evidence in the prosecution’s case.

As the details of the case continue to emerge, the public is grappling with the shocking fall from grace of one of Kannada cinema’s most cherished actors. Darshan’s alleged actions have been met with widespread condemnation, with many questioning how a man in such a privileged position could commit such acts of cruelty and violence.