(Image source from: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

Kannada actor Darshan Thukudipa, who was arrested in the murder case, has asked three others to take responsibility for the money-related crime, police said. The actor, who was arrested on Tuesday, offered five million rupees each to the men for their involvement in the case. The mortal remains of Renuka Swamy who is aged 33 are traced in a drain in Bengaluru's Sumanahalli Bridge. The food delivery man reported to the police after noticing that the dogs were biting the body. Renuka Swamy allegedly sent obscene text messages to Darshan's colleague and friend Pavitra Gowda. Online harassment and the use of profanity are currently being investigated as possible causes of the gruesome murder. Darshan assigned Raghu alias Raghavendra, the organizer of Chitradurga fan club, to collect the major information about Renuka Swami. The victim's wife has claimed that Raghu came to take her near her house. According to her statement recorded by the police, Renuka Swami was severely beaten, tied with a rope and brutally beaten with wooden blocks in the hut before he was murdered.

Thirteen people, including Pavitra Gowda and Darshan have been arrested in the case. Bangalore Superintendent of Police B. Dayananda said that we will conduct a detailed investigation into the matter as per the law and find out the truth. "Criminals must be punished mercilessly and in accordance with the law." State Home Minister G Parameshwara said the police have been given leave to take legal action against Darshan and the accused. The incident came as a huge shock to the Kannada film industry and the state's apex industry body demanded that Darshan's films should not be released. Known as the 'Challenge Star', Darshan has appeared in several commercially and critically successful films including Kariya (2003), Namma Prithiya Ramu (2003), Taarak (2017), Yajamana (2019) and Kurukshetra (2019).