Renukaswamy murder case: Karnataka police to ask Income Tax department to join probe

Bengaluru: The Karnataka police have decided to ask the Income Tax department to join the investigation into Renukaswamy murder case in view of huge money involved in execution of the crime. Kannada actor Darshan, his friend Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others have been arrested for abducting and brutally torturing Renukaswamy of Chitradurga to death on June 8.

According to police, Darshan and his gang have so far spent Rs 78 lakh to cover up the crime and destroy material evidences. "There is lot of money involved and we don't know how much money they would have raised through unfair means to get rid of this case. Hence, we have decided to include the I-T department in the case," a police officer said.

So far cash to the tune of Rs 70.4 lakh has been seized from the actor, while Rs 7.6 lakh is yet to be recovered. During the investigation, police found Darshan's involvement and subsequently the entire case came out in open.

In his revised statement, Darshan admitted to obtaining Rs 40 lakh from his friend Mohan Raj for escaping from adverse legal actions against him and to cover up conspiracy and destruction of evidence, they said.