The Supreme Court on Friday declined to cancel the bail granted to Kannada actors Darshan Thoogudeepa, Pavithra Gowda, and five others involved in the Renukaswamy murder case. However, the court has agreed to examine the plea of the Karnataka government challenging the bail decision previously upheld by the Karnataka High Court.
The bench, comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, issued notices to Darshan and the other accused in response to the state’s petition against the High Court’s bail order. The top court highlighted that while it refrained from staying the bail order outright, it was taking measures to ensure that the state’s interests in prosecution were safeguarded.
According to the apex court’s directive, “If any co-accused applies for bail, the court concerned shall not rely on the impugned High Court order. Each bail application must be adjudicated on its own merits to protect the prosecutorial process effectively.”
This legal scrutiny follows the Karnataka High Court’s decision on December 13, 2024, to grant bail to Darshan and the other defendants. Darshan was initially arrested on June 11, 2024, after being accused of orchestrating the murder of his fan, Renukaswamy, who died on June 8 following an alleged assault incited by the actor. The arrest was a consequence of accusations that Renukaswamy had sent inappropriate messages to Pavithra Gowda, which led to a violent backlash from Darshan’s supporters.
The controversy deepened when a photograph surfaced online showing Darshan in a seemingly relaxed posture with other inmates at Parappana Agrahara Jail in Bengaluru, which resulted in his transfer to Ballari Central Jail.
The case took a significant turn when the High Court granted Darshan a six-week interim bail on medical grounds on October 30, 2024, which was subsequently converted into a regular bail in December along with the other co-accused.
The mortal remains of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, an autorickshaw driver, were discovered on June 9, 2024, under mysterious circumstances. The state alleges that he succumbed to injuries inflicted upon him by individuals acting under Darshan’s directions, following derogatory comments made by the deceased about Gowda online.
