Bengaluru, June 21, 2024— Sridhar, the manager of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, was found dead at the actor’s farmhouse in Bengaluru, having committed suicide. Sridhar left behind a suicide note and video, in which he cited loneliness as the reason for his extreme step. He took full responsibility for his actions and requested that the police not involve his family in the investigation.
Authorities are now investigating any potential connections between Sridhar's suicide and Darshan’s alleged involvement in the Renukaswamy murder case.
Previous Manager Missing for 7 Years
In a related development, OneIndia reported that Darshan’s former manager, Mallikarjun B. Sankanagoudar, has been missing for seven years. This has resurfaced amid the current murder investigation. Mallikarjun managed Darshan’s film schedules, call sheets, remuneration, and other affairs, enjoying significant trust from the actor. However, he lost investments in film distribution and other ventures, reportedly borrowing money in Darshan's name. He also faced several legal cases, including a complaint from actor Arjun Sarja over a ₹1 crore loan. Mallikarjun has been missing since July 2018.
Renukaswamy Murder Investigation
On June 17, a post-mortem report revealed that Renukaswamy had been tortured with electric shocks before his death. Police sources indicated that Dhanraj, a suspect in the case, disclosed details of the torture. Dhanraj, a cable worker, stated that he was called to a warehouse in Bengaluru by Nandish, another accused, where they used an electrical megger to shock Renukaswamy. The police have confiscated the device used in the torture.
Reports from PTI on June 16 also revealed that Renukaswamy was branded with hot metal before being killed.
Home Ministry's Response
Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara announced on June 18 that there was no need to transfer the Renukaswamy murder case to the CBI, asserting that the police were conducting a thorough investigation without any external pressure. He praised the police for their diligent work.
Parameshwara, along with a State BJP delegation led by President BY Vijayendra, met Renukaswamy’s family to offer condolences. The family has demanded justice and a government job for the victim's pregnant wife, who was married to Renukaswamy only a year ago.
