Bengaluru: Kannada film star Darshan, his girlfriend Pavithra Gowda and 11 others were arrested for allegedly murdering Renuka Swamy, a 33-year-old male fan from Chitradurga who had allegedly posted derogatory comments about the actor’s partner.
Swamy’s body was found in a drain in Bengaluru’s Kamakshipalya area, about 200 km from Chitradurga from where he was abducted the previous day. Investigations indicated that the pharmacy store employee was thrashed and tortured to death before his body was dumped. Darshan and the others have been remanded in six days’ police custody.
According to police sources, Swamy’s alleged comment against Pavitra, 37, on social media is said to have angered her 47-year-old star. Darshan is accused of getting Swamy kidnapped and being present along with Pavithra when he was beaten to death.
Darshan had been arrested earlier on charges of attempting to murder his wife in 2011. Pavithra, who has acted in a few films and now runs a boutique in Bengaluru, claims she and Darshan have been together for over 10 years. Darshan and his wife later reached a compromise in the murder attempt case and she withdrew her complaint through court.
Darshan was picked up from a star hotel in Mysuru and brought to Bengaluru. He has been shooting in Mysuru since June 9 for his upcoming movie 'Devil'.
Meanwhile, Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara said that no special treatment was given to actor Darshan and emphasised that police should be allowed to conduct their investigation without interference.
Responding to allegations of preferential treatment for Darshan, Parameshwara clarified that the actor and his associate are being treated like any other accused.
