The Karnataka Police, investigating a murder case involving popular Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and his friend actor Pavithra Gowda, found that he had offered money to his associates to take the fall for the murder.
Darshan and a few of his aides have been arrested in connection with the murder of Renukaswamy, hailing from Chitradurga, on June 8 night. The deceased had allegedly sent lewd messages to Pavithra Gowda on social media.
Renukaswamy was allegedly beaten up by Darshan with a belt, and when he fell unconscious, his accomplices thrashed him with sticks. The victim was then thrown against a wall, and as a result, he suffered multiple bone fractures.
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Meanwhile, Section 144 was imposed within 200 meters of Annapoorneshwarinagar police station in Bengaluru where Darshan and others are kept in police custody.
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao assured that if Darshan is responsible for the crime, he would face the consequences for his action.
Dubbing it a "heinous crime" the minister said it is painful for the entire Kannada film industry.
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"The police are doing their job and we need to have faith in the police. I don't see any kind of influence working in these cases. Since it is a murder case, I am sure there will be no room for any kind of pressure on the investigation. This is a heinous crime, and if he is responsible, he should face the consequences, and if he's not, let the court decide," news agency ANI quoted him as saying.
Earlier, Home Minister G. Parameshwara had said police have been given a free hand and action will be taken in accordance with law against Darshan and his associates.