Renukaswamy (1991-June 8 2024) was a resident of Chitradurga who was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by men working with Kannada actor Darshan after allegedly sending lewd messages to Darshan's long-time partner, Pavithra Gowda. The case is still being investigated.[1][2][3][4]
The incident sent shockwaves across the nation including Karnataka's film industry and the question of social media's toxic side handle.[5][6][7][8] [9]
Background of the case
editVictim
editRenukaswamy was the only son of Kashinatha Shivanagowdara and his wife Rathnaprabha. He was the sole breadwinner of the family and got married in 2023. At the time of his murder, his wife was pregnant with their first child, and Renukaswamy was working at a pharmacy store where the murder took place. Renukaswamy was alleged to be sending obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda who is Darshan's friend. He even shared images of his private parts with Pavithra Gowda's Instagram handle. [10][11][12][13][14][15]His cause of death was shock and hemorrhage.[16]
Accused
edit- Darshan
- Pavithra Gowda
- Anukumar
- Jagadish
- Nagaraj
- Vinay
- Laxman M
- Pawan K
- Deepak Kumar M
- Nandish
- Nikhil Nayak
- Raghavendra
- Karthik
- Keshava Murthy
- Ravi
Murder
editSwamy allegedly had sent obscene messages to actress Pavithra Gowda on social media, because of the controversy surrounding Darshan's relationship with Gowda, which was confirmed in January 2024, despite still being married to his wife Vijayalakshmi.
On June 7, 2024, Renukaswamy was abducted by Raghu who is an associate of Darshan when he was held captive in the shed where he was beaten to death.[17][18] According to some reports, Darshan allegedly beat the victim with a belt and gave him current shocks. his family reported missing to Annapurneswari Nagar police station. On June 9, 2024, Darshan was on the set of his latest film "Devil: The Hero" when he was taken along with Pavithra Gowda for questioning.
Police said Ms Gowda was present in the shed for at least some time while Swamy was beaten up with sticks and given multiple electric shocks. According to news agency PTI, it was Ms Gowda who instigated Mr Thoogudeepa to punish Swamy for the posts made by him.
The autopsy report says Swamy died due to "shock haemorrhage as a result of multiple blunt injuries". Reports have said his testicles were ruptured and one of his ears were missing.
One of the accused Deepak Kumar, presently accused no. 13, has reportedly volunteered to be an approver in the case, the sources said. Deepak was in the shed, the scene of the crime, when Renukaswamy was killed, and he later distributed ₹5 lakh each to the four persons who surrendered to the police, confessing to the crime in a bid to protect Darshan, the police claimed.
However, Deepak has allegedly told to the police that Darshan along with other accused tortured the victim and that it was the actor who kicked Renukaswamy on the private parts, which may have caused his death
Renukaswamy's body was discovered at Sumanahalli Bridge by the police on June 8, 2024. His family, including his widow, demanded justice for him. Police officers Girish Naik and B. Dayananda were assigned to the case.[19]
Investigation
editWhile covering this case, Rakshith Gowda, a journalist for The New Indian Express, was attacked by four unidentified men.[20]
On June 18, Cyber cell investigated if Renukawasy was victim of hacking or imposed by another person who poses him with a lewd message to Gowda [21]. [22]
It revealed that Darshan's farmhouse manager took his own life in April [23]
On June 20, Darshan came to court to face charges. [24]
As the investigation progresses, Darshan now faces life as prisoner number 6106, a dramatic fall from stardom to incarceration.
Prison officials assign Darshan the undertrial prisoner number 6106. Following him are Dhanaraj (6107), Vinay (6108), and Pradosh (6109). Initially kept in a high-security cell, they are later shifted to the prison hospital and will next be moved to the barracks.[25]
Reactions
editChetan Kumar pointed out that films glorified violence, "There are observations connecting toxic masculinity with violence in movies which led to real-life consequences". One of his co-stars, Ramya, spoke out against Darshan and demanded justice for Renukaswamy, and later his former friend Sudeep also joined by demand justice for the victim. He said the celebrities should never be treated as demi-gods.[26][27][28] Upendra also demand inquiry for victim's family. At the same time, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma said a star using his fame to kill his fan and director Hemanth Rao still shocked.[29][30][31][32] Protests in Chitradurga demand the Kannada film chamber to ban Darshan from upcoming projects. They also demand strict punishment for Darshan and Gowrda, and call for a CBI inquiry into Renukaswamy's death for solidarity with the victim's family [33][34] Darshan's connections with political parties include Congress which ex BJP Mla demand banned movies of him,[35] while Sanjjana and Rachita Ram, Anusha Rai defended him[36] [37] DY Shivakumar denied that Darshan received royal treatment at prison.[38] Kasthuri Shankar come for Darshan's defense
Darshan's 15-year-old son Vinesh become a victim of cyberbullying on social media because of his father's case along with Preethi Gowda's daughter Kushi.[39]
References
edit- ^ "Actor Darshan not married to Pavithra Gowda, just 'friends', claims his lawyer". India Today.
- ^ "Kannada film actor Darshan's police custody extended till June 20 in police cutsody". The Indian Express.
- ^ "Renukaswamy murder case: Court extends police custody of actor Darshan, associates by 5 more days". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024.
- ^ "The Indian film star arrested in fan's murder case". BBC news.
- ^ "Kannada superstar Darshan stripped of farmer brand ambassador title amid controversy over Renukaswamy murder case". economictimes.
- ^ "'Darshan typically looked at harassment issue from the perspective of toxic masculinity'". the hindu.
- ^ "BJP leader alleges Congress planned arrested actor Darshan as surprise candidate in Karnataka bypoll". Telegraph India.
- ^ "'Special treatment for actor Darshan Thoogudeepa': advocates, activist file RTI applications seeking CCTV footage of police station". Indian Express.
- ^ "A murder and a murky past: The Darshan casefiles". News Mintue.
- ^ "Comments against Pavithra angered Darshan? What led to torture, murder of Kannada movie fan". The Times of India. 2024-06-12. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 12 June 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ Adnal, Madhuri (11 June 2024). "Actor Darshan's presence at Renuka Swamy Crime Scene Confirmed by CCTV and Call Records". OneIndia. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "Darshan Thoogudeepa, popular Kannada actor, detained in connection with murder case". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "Kannada actor Darshan, friend Pavithra sent to six-day police custody in murder case". Deccan Healrd. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "Kannada Actor Arrested For Alleged Role In Murder Over Obscene Texts". NDTV. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "Darshan, Pavithra break down in court". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 14 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ "Darshan Case Victim Died Of Shock, Haemorrhage, Reveals Post-Mortem Report". NDTV.
- ^ "Darshan arrest case: New CCTV video shows car ferrying Renukaswamy before murder". India Today.
- ^ "One of the accused in Renukaswamy murder case to turn approver?". The Hindu.
- ^ "Officer investigating murder case against actor Darshan reassigned". hindustan times.
- ^ Service, Express News (June 15, 2024). "TNIE reporter covering actor Darshan case attacked in Bengaluru court complex". The New Indian Express.
- ^ "Will ensure accused in Renukaswamy murder case are punished: Bengaluru Police Commissioner". Indian Express.
- ^ "Renukaswamy was a habitual offender, sent obscene meassage". the hindu.
- ^ "Darshan's farmhouse manager died by suicide in April, was battling depression". India Today.
- ^ "'Darshan confessed to giving ₹30 lakh to dispose Renukaswamy's body,' claims police". South Fist.
- ^ "Renukaswamy murder case: Darshan, three others sent to ..." deccanherald.
- ^ "Want justice for Renukaswamy's family, his unborn child: Kiccha Sudeep on case involving actor Darshan". The South Frist.
- ^ "Justice to the victim's family is important: Sudeep". The Hindu.
- ^ "Celebrities Are Not Gods, Do Not Treat Them Like One: Kannada Actor Kichcha Sudeep". Times Now.
- ^ "Kannada director Hemanth Rao on Darshan facing murder allegations, "I am at a loss of words at how ridiculous Darshan's decision making has been in all of this". Bollywood Hungama.
- ^ "Filmmakers of Darshan's upcoming projects in tight spot". Deccan Herald.
- ^ "Ram Gopal Varma reacts to Darshan's arrest in murder case: 'A fit example of bizarreness of star worship'". Indian Express.
- ^ "From Kiccha Sudeep to Upendra, actors react to Darshan's arrest in murder case". News Mintue.
- ^ "Fans protest Indian movie star's shock arrest over Benglau murder". Returns.
- ^ "Chitraduga residents stage protest against Darshan; seek strict punishment for accused in murder case". The Hindu.
- ^ "Renukaswamy murder: BJP demands a fair probe". The Hindu.
- ^ "Darshan is 'soft-spoken gentleman' who respects women: Actor Sanjjanaa Galrani defends Kannada star". The Week.
- ^ "Rachita Ram expresses disbelief over her 'mentor' Darshan's alleged involvement in Renukaswamy murder case: 'It's hard to believe…'". Indian Express.
- ^ [Deccan Herald "Darshan not getting 'royal treatment': Karnataka Home Minister rubbishes reports"]. Deccan Herald.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ "Kannada star Darshan's minor son reacts to cyberbullying after the arrest of his father". THEWEEK. 15 June 2024. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.