Bengaluru: Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda on Tuesday vowed to ensure that the accused involved in the Renukaswamy murder case are punished and that justice is delivered to the victim's family. 

The police have arrested 17 people, including Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and his friend Pavithra Gowda, in connection with the murder. 

Renukaswamy was a fan of actor Darshan. According to police sources, he allegedly sent obscene messages to Gowda on social media, which enraged the actor. Dayananda emphasised that the police took swift and timely action in the case during a press conference. 

He stated that if there was even a bit of carelessness or delay in the probe, the investigation would have been hampered. But the police personnel did their job with dedication and gathered all information and evidence. Because of the quick investigation, the entire matter came to light, he said.

"It is a heinous crime committed in a horrific manner and we have to ensure that the accused in the case are punished and we have to deliver justice to the victim's family and our officers and staff are working in this direction," Dayananda said.

"We are making all efforts to present evidence and details in a systematic manner in the court and we need the media's support to take this case to the logical end. We expect restraint and patience from the media," he said.

Considering the "importance, significance and sensitivity" of the case, he said the investigation has been handed over to an Assistant Commissioner of Police level officer.

A special investigation team, led by ACP Vijayanagar who is the chief investigating officer, is working diligently, with the support of various inspectors, sub-inspectors, and other staff.

Inspector of Kamakshipalya (police station), the former investigating officer who had been transferred, was under election duty, Dayananda said. He has now been transferred to Chennammanakere Achukattu police station but has also been made part of the investigation team though he is not in the west division.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) is supervising the entire probe, and Dayananda assured that all the inspectors and required staff are carrying out the investigation relentlessly day-in-and-day-out.

"With regard to the investigation of the murder case (Renukaswamy murder) registered in Kamakshipalya police station, wherein an individual has been killed in a very brutal and barbaric way, so far, the police have arrested 17 persons and all the 17 persons have been taken into police custody and their interrogation is being done," Dayananda added. PTI