Renukaswamy murder case: Police grill Darshan's wife about his visit to her flat

BENGALURU: The recovery of the footwear of actor Darshan, accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, from the flat of his wife Vijayalakshmi has given a fresh twist to the investigation. The actor reportedly wore the loafers (shoes) when he and his aides allegedly beat his fan to death on June 8.
While the recovery of loafers could be interpreted as harbouring crucial evidence, a senior police officer said after Renukaswamy's body was disposed of in the wee hours of June 9, Darshan had visited Vijayalakshmi's flat in Hoskerehalli.He performed puja along with her before heading to Mysuru from where he was arrested on June 11.

Summoned by police, Vijayalakshmi turned up at Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station and gave a statement on Wednesday.
According to police sources, she was questioned for almost five hours. Police asked her if she knew anything about the kidnap and murder of Renukaswamy and if Darshan had shared any details about the incident. She was also questioned about Darshan's visit to her flat after the murder and what transpired during his visit. She was asked who brought the loafers to her house and why; if the footwear was washed or used by someone else after it reached her place. She answered all the questions and they recorded her statement.
Darshan's costume assistant, identified as Raju from Attiguppe, had reportedly given a few clothes, footwear and other belongings of Darshan to her after the incident.
Vijayalakshmi is likely to be treated as a witness in the event of not being hauled for harbouring evidence, a source said.
Accused's blood samples collected for DNA test
Officials on Wednesday took Darshan, his girlfriend Pavithra Gowda, aide Pavan and six other accused to Victoria hospital. An officer said the samples, including their hair, nails, and blood, were collected for DNA examination. The samples will be sent to a forensic science laboratory to check if they match the ones collected from the crime spots. The accused were also subjected to a medical check-up as their police custody is ending on Thursday.