All the 17 accused, including Darshan and Pavithra, were produced before the magistrate through video conferencing.
Credit: DH Photo /PV Photo/Ranju P
Bengaluru: A magistrate court on Thursday extended the judicial custody of actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and 16 others arrested in the alleged murder of Renukaswamy by 14 days. The actor, his friend Pavithra Gowda and others will remain in jail till August 1.
The 17 accused were produced before the 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) via video conferencing from the prisons in Bengaluru and Tumakuru as the custody ended today. The judge then passed the order extending the custody.
Kamakshipalya police arrested Darshan, Pavithra and the others in June for allegedly murdering Renukaswamy, 33, from Chitradurga. Renukaswamy’s body was discovered by the security guard of an apartment complex in Sumanahalli on the morning of June 9.
Four among the 17 had initially surrendered before the police claiming responsibility for the murder. A swift probe by the investigators led to the arrest of the actor, Pavithra, and subsequently the other suspects.
Police probe revealed that Renukaswamy was ferried from Chitradurga to a shed in RR Nagar on June 8 where he was tortured and murdered. Police also found that Renukaswamy had sent objectionable messages to Pavithra, which acted as a motive.