Chilling confession: Darshan’s girlfriend Pavithra Gowda first to attack Renukaswamy, say police

BENGALURU/CHITRADURGA: Kamakshipalya police, investigating the kidnap and murder of Renukaswamy, on Sunday recovered the footwear of accused no. 1 and Sandalwood star Darshan’s girlfriend Pavithra Gowda from her house in Kenchenahalli, Rajarajeshwari Nagar.
Darshan, Pavithra and his aides are among 17 people arrested for murdering Renukaswamy over his obscene posts against her.
“As per the confession of the accused persons, Pavithra was the first one to assault Renukaswamy with her footwear before others subjected him to brutality at a seized-vehicle parking yard in Pattanagere, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, where he was held captive on June 8,” a cop said.
Police also recovered the clothes Pavithra wore on the fateful day. The recoveries were made during a mahazar at her three-storey building. Pavithra used the two floors, and rented out the ground floor to another accused and aide, Pavan K. The three-hour mahazar exercise also covered Pavan’s house.
Police also conducted mahazar at the houses of other accused — Vinay in Pattanagere and Deepak in BEML Layout, RR Nagar. Vinay stays in a house next to that of the owner of the parking yard. Police seized his clothes from the house and collected some other evidence. A senior police officer said Vinay was also involved in the assault and disposal of the body.
Deepak was also taken to his aunt’s house where he had taken a bath after assaulting and killing Renukaswamy. Police have seized his clothes and footwear as well.
Four of the accused were taken to Chitradurga for a spot inquest on Saturday. One of the accused, Arun Kumar, was allowed to take part in his father Chandranna’s funeral. Chandranna had died after police arrested his son on Friday. A mahazar was also conducted at Arun Kumar’s house on Sunday.
The team visited the house of another suspect and Darshan’s fan club office-bearer in Chitradurga, Raghavendra, at Doddapete. Sources confirmed that police officers seized Rs 5 lakh cash and gold from the house.
Officials also visited the house of Ravi Shankar, a taxi driver, and seized his car that was allegedly used to kidnap the victim.
Police have also recovered the clothes Renukaswamy wore when he was beaten up and died, from a Pattanagere location. The accused had changed his clothes and dumped his body.