Renuka Swamy murder: Darshan fan clubs under police scrutiny

Bengaluru: Fan clubs associated with Darshan Thoogudeepa are now the subject of police scrutiny as investigations into Renuka Swamy murder case, which led to the arrest of the Kannada actor and his friend Pavithra Gowda along with 15 others, intensify.

Renuka Swamy, a fan of Darshan, was abducted from Chitradurga by a prominent club member and accomplices, subsequently transported to Bengaluru where he was subjected to torture and killed. His body was discovered on June 9.

Police sources indicate that Renuka Swamy's alleged sending of offensive messages to Gowda provoked the actor, potentially leading to the murder. 

"The role of fan clubs is very dubious, especially after the Renuka Swamy murder case. The Chitradurga Darshan Fan Club convener Raghavendra alias Raghu and his accomplices were instrumental in the abduction of the victim," stated a police official.

Authorities are reportedly scrutinizing key members of Darshan's fan clubs statewide and their activities, suspecting some may have harbored criminal elements. 

"With his money power and clout, Darshan was protecting them," added another police source.

It's alleged that Darshan, along with film producers, directors, and financiers, financially supported these fan clubs to create a favorable environment during the release of his movies. 

“It has also been observed that these fan club members would clash with the fan club members of other actors whenever Darshan movies were released simultaneously with the ‘rival actor',” the sources said.

Police sources also suggest considering registering a rowdy-sheet against Darshan due to his purported connections with criminal elements across different parts of the state, which allegedly operated through his fan clubs. 

(With inputs from PTI)