Darshan fan’s murder case: Chats deleted from phones; cops send devices for forensic analysis after witness intimidation

Bengaluru, July 3 (IANS) In a significant development in the alleged witness intimidation and threat case linked to the high-profile Renukaswamy murder trial involving jailed Kannada actor Darshan, investigators have found that chat histories and call records had been deleted from the mobile phones of the arrested accused.

Police sources said that mobile phones belonging to the four arrested accused had been wiped of data before they were seized. WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook chat histories, along with group call logs, had allegedly been deleted from all the devices.

The Kamakshipalya Police are now preparing to send the seized mobile phones to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for detailed forensic examination and have requested experts to submit the reports at the earliest to assist the investigation.

Investigators are also questioning the accused to ascertain whether the deleted data can be recovered and whether it contains evidence relating to the alleged conspiracy to threaten a key prosecution witness.

Police suspect that a group of four persons had instructed the prime accused, Punith, to threaten prosecution witness Sandeep. However, during interrogation, Punith has continued to maintain that he has no knowledge of the incident and that no one had instructed him to issue threats.

Punith has been remanded to five days of police custody, and his mobile phone has also been sent for forensic analysis.

Investigators further suspect that certain film producers may have supported the accused in intimidating the witness. The suspicion arose during questioning, following which the Kamakshipalya Police began collecting documents and other evidence relating to the producers.

The developments come after three persons — Punith, Venu and Suhas — were arrested for allegedly threatening a key prosecution witness in the Renukaswamy murder case.

According to the police, the accused allegedly threatened the 49th prosecution witness, Sandeep, warning him not to depose against Darshan before the trial court and allegedly telling him that they would “take care of him” if he proceeded with his testimony.

Sandeep, a cashier at Durga Bar in Tumakuru, is considered a crucial witness in the case. Investigators said the accused had stopped at the bar while allegedly transporting Renukaswamy from Chitradurga to Bengaluru, making his testimony important in establishing the victim’s movement before the murder.

Police also 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 accused allegedly lured Sandeep into a vehicle on the pretext of discussing an important matter before threatening him with consequences if he testified before the court.

The alleged witness intimidation came to light 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, leading to the arrest of the accused.

Police are continuing their investigation to determine whether others were involved in the alleged conspiracy to influence prosecution witnesses and are awaiting the forensic examination reports of the seized mobile phones.

–IANS

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