New Delhi/IBNS: Kannada actor Thoogudeepa and his aides had beaten 33-year-old Renukaswamy, tied him up and gave electric shocks before allegedly murdering him, police said in a remand copy, NDTV reports.

Though 13 people including Darshan and his girlfriend Pavithra Gowda have been arrested, police said 17 people were led by the Kannada actor in the Karnataka murder.

Police claim Darshan may have paid about Rs. 50 lakh to four of his aides in planning and executing the murder.

According to police, the victim had posted an objectionable comment on Kannada actress Pavithra Gowda's Instagram handle accusing her of causing a rift between Thoogudeepa and his wife Vijaya Lakshmi.

This happened after Pavithra posted an Instagram video celebrating his 10-year relationship with Darshan, who has been married to Vijaya Lakshmi for 20 years.

Darshan's aides reportedly carried Renukaswamy in a taxi from Chitradurga to their Bengaluru hideout where they tortured the victim to death.

After allegedly beating to death, Renukaswamy's body was dumped in a stormwater drain at an area which falls under Kamakshipalya Police Station.

Police reportedly got to know from a food delivery man who saw a dog eating the body of the victim.