The Karnataka Police on Tuesday arrested another accused in connection with the murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, taking the total number of arrested people to 17.

Renukaswamy, a devoted fan of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, was allegedly killed for making derogatory comments on social media about Kannada actress Pavithra Gowda, who is Darshan's close friend and alleged partner.

The body of Renukasawamy was found near a flyover in Bengaluru on June 9. Within two days, on June 11, Karnataka Police arrested actor Darshan. The probe revealed that Renukasawamy was kidnapped and murdered by a gang under his direction.

The investigation also unveiled a chilling conspiracy involving several prominent figures from Darshan's fan association, who allegedly kidnapped and tortured Renukaswamy before killing him.

So far, the arrested accused include Darshan, popularly known as "Challenging Star", and 16 of his associates. According to the investigation so far, this is the role each accused allegedly played in Renukaswamy's murder conspiracy.

Renukaswamy murder: Who did what

Pavithra Gowda: According to the police, Pavithra Gowda was present at the crime scene and assaulted Renukaswamy with a slipper before others tortured him at a parking yard in Bengaluru's Pattanagee area.

Darshan Thoogudeepa: According to the police, the main conspirator in the case is Darshan Thoogudeepa, who played a key role in Renukaswamy's kidnapping and murder. He allegedly gave money to kidnap Renukaswamy. He also provided Rs 5 lakh each to two of the four men who took the blame for the murder of Renukaswamy on their shoulders. Darshan was also involved in destroying evidence after the murder, police said.

Raghavendra: The third arrested in the case was Raghavendra, who is Darshan fans association's chief. He allegedly kidnapped Renukaswamy on behalf of Darshan and Pavithra, police said, adding that he was also present at the crime scene and assaulted Renukaswamy.

Pawan: The fourth arrested accused in the case, identified as Pawan, was in contact with Raghavendra during Renukaswamy's kidnapping and also assaulted the latter, as per the police. He also worked as a house help at Darshan's residence. According to the police, Pawan took Rs 30 lakh from the Kannada actor to bribe and conceal the crime.

Nandish: The police arrested the fifth accused, Nandish, after learning that he was part of the gang that assaulted and murdered Renukaswamy. He instructed another accused, Dhanraj, to bring an electric megger to give electric shocks to the victim, as per the police.

Jagadish: The sixth accused, Jagadish, was involved in the kidnapping of Renukaswamy and brought him from Chitradurga to the Bengaluru shed where he was tortured and murdered.

Anukumar: The seventh accused, Anukumar, was also involved in the kidnapping team and fled after the murder, police said.

Ravishankar: He drove the car that was used to kidnap Renukaswamy.

Dhanraj: Dhanraj a cable worker from Mandya, brought a cable wire to Pattanagere shed to give electric shocks to Renukaswamy.

Vinay: He, a close associate of Darshan, assaulted Renukaswamy and consulted a local police official for advice on concealing the murder, as per the police.

Nagaraju: He was Darshan's manager. He allegedly changed Renukaswamy's clothes after the murder.

Lakshman: Lakshman, one of the drivers of Darshan, was present at the shed and assaulted Renukaswamy. He allegedly also arranged for his body's transportation.

Deepak: He paid Rs 5 lakh each to three people who took the blame for Renukaswamy's murder on their shoulders, as per the police.

Pradosh: As per the police, Pradosh received Rs 30 lakh from Darshan for expenses. He also convinced three to four men to surrender before the police and take the blame for the murder on themselves. Pradosh also arranged a meeting between Darshan and the other accused.

Karthi: Karthi, the 15th accused in the case, worked in the Pattanagere shed where Renukaswamy was assaulted and murdered, as per the police. He also transported the body and surrendered to the police.

Keshavamurthy: He was arrested by the Bengaluru Police as he was present with Darshan at the time of the incident and allegedly assaulted Renukaswamy. According to the police, he surrendered as per Darshan's instructions.

Nikhil: He received Rs 5 lakhs after the murder and transported Renukaswamy's body. He then surrendered before the police.

Apart from 17 people arrested in the case, the police are also investigating the role of two other accused in the case -- Puneet and Hemanth. As per police, Puneet's car was used to transfer Renukaswamy's body.

Hemanth allegedly washed the bloodstains from the car. He is also accused of destroying evidence related to the murder. However, he claims he didn't know there were bloodstains while washing the car.

On Tuesday, speaking about the case, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda said the police will ensure that the accused involved in the Renukaswamy murder case are punished and justice is delivered to the victim's family.

"It is a heinous crime committed in a horrific manner and we have to ensure that the accused in the case are punished and we have to deliver justice to the victim's family and our officers and staff are working in this direction," Dayananda said.

"We are making all efforts to present evidence and details in a systematic manner in the court and we need the media's support to take this case to the logical end. We expect restraint and patience from the media," he said.

Considering the "importance, significance and sensitivity" of the case, he said the investigation has been handed over to an Assistant Commissioner of Police level officer.

ACP Vijayanagar is the chief investigating officer and a special investigating team has been formed under him consisting of various inspectors, sub-inspectors and other staff, according to him.