Bengaluru: Actors accused in the Chitradurga Renukaswamy murder case found to have used SIM cards registered under different names.
The ongoing investigation into the Chitradurga Renukaswamy murder case has revealed that actor Darshan, along with other accused individuals, used SIM cards registered under false identities.
According to the remand application submitted to the court, Darshan Apte Pavitra Gowda (first accused), Nandish (fifth accused), Pradush (14th accused), Karthik alias Kappe (15th accused), Kesavamurthy (16th accused), and Nikhil Naik (17th accused) were all found to be using SIM cards obtained under fictitious names.
Notifications have been issued for the purchasers of these SIM cards to appear at future hearings. It was noted that Renukaswamy was murdered in Jayanna’s shed in Pattanagere. Following the incident, Karthik alias Kappe and Nikhil Naik were identified as those who dumped the victim’s body near Raja Canal, in front of Sumanahalli’s Sattva Apartments.
During the investigation, Rs 70 lakh in cash was discovered at Darshan’s residence and subsequently confiscated in a significant development. Authorities have also sought assistance from the Income Tax Department due to the substantial amount of cash found at home.
The transport department is currently examining vehicles involved in the crime, gathering details about their original owners, and recording their statements. Mobile phones belonging to all involved parties have been retrieved and sent for forensic examination at a laboratory in Hyderabad.
Moreover, additional direct and indirect witnesses need to be interrogated, and statements pursuant to Section 164 are being obtained. Given the ongoing investigations, authorities are concerned that granting bail may hinder progress, and thus they are urging against any such release.