Bengaluru, July 2 (IANS) In a major development in the fan murder case involving jailed Kannada superstar Darshan, police are set to produce three arrested persons before a Bengaluru court on Thursday and seek their custody for further investigation. The three are accused of allegedly threatening a key prosecution witness to prevent him from deposing before the trial court.

The accused, identified as Punith, Venu and Suhas, were subjected to a medical examination at KC General Hospital in Bengaluru before being produced before the court. They were arrested by the Kamakshipalya Police for allegedly intimidating the prosecution witness.

According to the police, the accused threatened the 49th prosecution witness, Sandeep, warning him not to give evidence against Darshan in court. They allegedly told him that they would “take care of him” if he went ahead with his testimony.

Sandeep works as a cashier at Durga Bar in Tumakuru city and is considered a crucial witness in the case.

Investigators said that while transporting murder victim Renukaswamy from Chitradurga to Bengaluru, the accused had stopped at the bar where Sandeep was working and made a payment there after consuming liquor and food. Sandeep’s testimony is considered significant as it is expected to establish that Renukaswamy was brought to Bengaluru from Chitradurga city before the murder.

Police further alleged that Punith managed Darshan’s fan pages on social media for nearly six years, while Venu and Suhas are members of the Tumakuru Darshan Fans Association.

According to the investigation, the three accused allegedly contacted Sandeep on the pretext of discussing an important matter. They then took him in their vehicle and, while driving around, allegedly threatened him with consequences if he testified against Darshan before the court.

The alleged witness intimidation took place during the ongoing trial of the Renukaswamy murder case. After the matter was brought to the notice of the trial court, it directed the police to investigate the allegations, following which the three accused were arrested on Wednesday.

Police sources said they would seek the custody of the accused for further interrogation to ascertain whether anyone else was involved in the alleged conspiracy to influence or intimidate prosecution witnesses.

Investigators also said Punith is an important link in the case, as his Scorpio SUV was allegedly used to transport Renukaswamy from Chitradurga to Bengaluru. Police are expected to question him further regarding both the alleged witness intimidation and his role in the murder case investigation.

The murder case pertains to the alleged abduction, torture and murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga, in June 2024. According to the police, Renukaswamy had allegedly sent objectionable messages to actress Pavithra Gowda, Darshan’s partner, prompting a group of accused, allegedly acting at the behest of Kannada actor Darshan, to abduct him from Chitradurga and bring him to Bengaluru.

Police alleged that Renukaswamy was confined, brutally assaulted and tortured at a shed in Bengaluru, where he succumbed to his injuries. His body was later found near a stormwater drain in the city.

Actor Darshan, actress Pavithra Gowda and several others were arrested in connection with the case. The police filed a chargesheet alleging offences including murder, criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and destruction of evidence. Darshan was later granted bail, which was cancelled by the Supreme Court, while the trial in the case is currently underway before a Bengaluru court.

–IANS

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