BENGALURU, 12 JUNE

Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said police have been given a free hand and action will be taken in accordance with law against Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and his associates who were arrested in connection with a murder case. Police will probe and decide whether Darshan is a "habitual offender", he said.

“Law is equal for everyone whether it is Darshan or Parameshwara. So, no one should take law into their hands," Parameshwara said here.

Darshan, popularly known as "Challenging Star", and 12 of his close associates were arrested on Tuesday for the murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor.

Parameshwara said: "If Renukaswamy had posted something on social media about his female friend, he could have given a complaint, and police would have acted immediately. The information is, he (Renukaswamy) was brought (to Bengaluru from Chitradurga), beaten and has been killed, it could have been avoided. Now the incident has happened, a life has gone, and no one can do anything."

To a question that Darshan had through influential politicians attempted to save himself, the minister said as far as he knows, no one has tried to influence.

Asked as to how the government will stand by Renukaswamy's family, Parameshwara said he will speak to the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in this regard.

In response to a question, he said every case need not be given to CBI for probe. 13 people have been arrested, and those involved in the case are known. "There is no need to give the case to another agency."

In 2011, Darshan was arrested by police for allegedly assaulting his wife and threatening her. He was later released on bail and the couple subsequently resolved the issue and she withdrew the case against him. —PTI