Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], September 5 (HBTV): The Bengaluru police on Wednesday submitted a charge sheet in a secure box to the court against 17 accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, including star Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and his friend Pavithra Gowda, Bengaluru Police said. 

Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru B Dayananda, said that a 3,991-page charge sheet, which includes seven volumes and 10 files, has been submitted to the 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court. 

The police statement said that a strong charge sheet had been prepared after a thorough investigation of the case from all angles. 

"The chargesheet contains 231 witness statements, technical and electronic evidence, and a massive investigation," CP B Dayananda said. 

Seventeen people have been arrested in this case, and they are now under judicial custody. There are three eyewitnesses, 27 witnesses have given their statements before the court, and other witnesses have recorded their statements before the police. 

Earlier actor Darshan was shifted to Bellary Jail after his purported photograph of hanging out with three others, including a rowdy-sheeter, in the lawns of Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Karnataka went viral.

The 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court ordered to shift Darshan to another jail amid VIP treatment row. Other accused Pawan, Raghavendra and Nandish will be shifted to Mysore Jail. The police are also preparing to shift the accused Jagdish to Shivamogga and Dhanraj to Dharwad Jail. 

Actress Pavitra Gowda, who is also accused in the murder case, will remain in Bangalore jail.

Three special teams were formed to investigate three cases related to special hospitality in the jail.

Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda responded to the matter. 

He said, "If this person is being given extra privileges, it is wrong. Officers who have facilitated such privileges should be held accountable, and action should be taken against them." 

The Karnataka government earlier suspended seven prison officials after purported picture of Darshan from the jail circulated online. In the image, the actor was seen holding a cup in his right hand and a cigarette in the other.   

The officials were suspended following the directions of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who instructed the state Director General of Police (DGP) to immediately transfer Darshan and others to different jails. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara termed it as a lapse and assured it would not be repeated.   

(ANI)