Kannada actor challenging star Darshan questioned for alleged role in murder case

Bengaluru:

Popular Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa was today arrested for questioning in connection with a murder, police said, two days after a case was registered.

Darshan was taken by police to his farm in Mysore this morning. He will be taken to Bengaluru for further questioning, officials said. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) confirmed that the 47-year-old actor has been taken into custody.

According to police, the victim, Renuka Swamy, was murdered on June 8. His body was found on June 9 in a drain in Kamakshipalya, located in Bengaluru. Mr Swamy, who worked for a pharmaceutical company, had sent “obscene messages”. ” on social media to an actress close to Darshan, police said.

Mr. Swamy hailed from Chitradurga, over 200 km from the Karnataka capital.

Local residents reportedly alerted police to the murder when they saw stray dogs dragging a body out of the sewers. The investigation led to the arrest of some suspects who allegedly directed police to Darshan.

Police are probing whether Darshan was directly involved in the murder or was part of the conspiracy. Nine other people were arrested in this case.

The actor is known for his roles in films like Anatharu (2007), Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna (2012) and Kaatera (2023).