Bengaluru: Kannada star Darshan, implicated as the second accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, has been removed from his position as brand ambassador for farmers, announced Industries Minister MB Patil here on Friday.
This decision follows protests by farmers in Mandya against Darshan, who had previously campaigned in the region for Congress candidate Venkataramane Gowda (also known as Star Chandru) during the recent Lok Sabha elections, and for former MP Sumalatha Ambareesh in the 2019 elections and supported Rajya Raitha Sangha candidate Darshan Puttanaiah in Melukote constituency during the 2023 assembly elections.
The same agrarian community is now demanding justice, calling for a CBI inquiry into the case. Kurubur Shantakumar, president of the Federation of State Farmers’ Associations, emphasized the need for careful selection of brand ambassadors. “After achieving a certain status, individuals must uphold higher moral standards and serve as role models,” he stated.
The Bengaluru City Police arrested Darshan on Tuesday, accusing him of involvement in the murder. The victim, 33-year-old Renukaswamy, who worked at a pharmacy Chitradurga, was discovered dead on June 8.
Police reports suggest that Renukaswamy was tortured and killed, allegedly due to sending obscene messages to Darshan’s female friend. His body was found in a drain in Kamakshipalya. The investigation revealed that he was beaten so badly that he suffered fatal injuries.