New CCTV Footage In Darshan Case: White Car Seen Near Toll Plaza Ferrying Renukaswamy Before Murder

New CCTV footage has emerged in connection with the murder of Renukaswamy and the arrest of Kannada star Darshan Thoogudeepa and his wife, Pavithra Gowda. The footage, captured at a toll plaza in Karnataka's Chitradurga, shows a white car allegedly used to transport Renukaswamy, a fan of Darshan, from Chitradurga to Bengaluru.

On June 8, at around 11:30 am, the CCTV at the Guilalu Toll plaza recorded the white car used in the kidnapping. Driver Ravi and Raghavendra were seen seated in the front. The gang traveled to Bengaluru via Hiriyur, using a VIP card at the toll plaza.

According to reports, the accused abducted Renukaswamy under the pretense of arranging a meeting with the actor. Initially, Renukaswamy was transported in an auto rickshaw before being shifted to the rented car.

Darshan and Pavithra were arrested on June 11 in connection with Renukaswamy's murder, whose body was discovered in a stormwater drain at Kamakshipalya. The grim discovery was made after a food delivery person alerted the police about dogs scavenging on a man's body.

On June 9, three suspects approached the police and confessed to murdering Renukaswamy over a financial dispute. However, further investigation revealed that the trio was attempting to mislead authorities and that Darshan and his associates were involved.

During the inquiry, police discovered that Darshan allegedly offered the gang members Rs 30 lakh and promised to support their families until they were released from jail. So far, 16 people have been arrested in the case, including Darshan and Pavithra.

Earlier, police sources told news agency PTI that Darshan's aide Nagaraj managed the actor's dealings and maintained his farmhouse in Mysuru. Nagaraj has been on the run since Darshan's arrest.

Authorities have not disclosed details regarding the involvement of Darshan's co-star Pradosh, who had appeared in minor roles in some of Darshan's films.