The Supreme Court on Thursday set aside the Karnataka High Court’s December 2024 order granting bail to Kannada actor Darshan in connection with the murder of his fan, Renukaswamy, directing that he be taken into custody immediately.
A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, which had reserved its verdict on July 24 after hearing arguments from both sides, allowed the Karnataka government’s plea challenging the high court’s decision to release Darshan and his co-accused on bail.
“We considered everything — the grant as well as the cancellation of bail. It is evident that the high court order suffers from serious infirmities; instead, it reflects a mechanical exercise. Moreover, the high court undertook examination at the pre-trial stage,” the bench observed.
The court emphasised that the trial court alone is the proper forum to consider the matter on merits and held that “well-founded allegations, coupled with forensic evidence, reinforce the cancellation of bail.”
Background of the Case
Darshan, along with actress Pavithra Gowda and several others, is accused of abducting and torturing 33-year-old Renukaswamy, allegedly in retaliation for obscene messages sent to Gowda.
According to police, the victim was confined in a shed in Bengaluru for three days in June 2024, subjected to brutal torture, and his body was later found dumped in a drain.
The apex court had issued notices to Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and other accused on January 24, 2025, on the state government’s petition seeking cancellation of bail.
