The Supreme Court of India on Friday intervened in the high-profile Renukaswamy murder case, issuing a stern directive to a Bengaluru court to fast-track the trial involving Kannada actor Darshan and several others. Labeling the current pace of proceedings as “very slow,” the apex court suggested that the trial court move to day-to-day hearings if necessary to avoid further delays.
A Sluggish Pace Under Scrutiny
A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Vijay Bishnoi expressed dissatisfaction after reviewing a report from the Civil and Sessions Judge in Bengaluru. The report revealed that although charges were framed on November 3, 2025, the prosecution has only managed to examine 10 witnesses over the following seven months.
The prosecution has identified 60 “vital” witnesses whose testimonies are critical to establishing the roles of the accused. However, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Darshan, pointed out that the prosecution ultimately intends to examine a total of 272 witnesses.
“If the trial is proceeding at this pace, it is going to take a long time even before 60 witnesses are examined,” the bench observed. The court emphasized that the trial should not be adjourned on “flimsy grounds” and placed a responsibility on the defense to cooperate fully to ensure witnesses are examined as quickly as possible.
One-Year Observation Period
The Supreme Court has set a clear timeline for the lower court’s performance. The bench stated it will monitor the trial’s progress for one year.
“At the end of one year, if there is no substantial progress in the trial, we will look into the matter accordingly,” the bench warned, signaling that further intervention could occur if the bottleneck persists.
Prison Amenities and “Quarantine” Dispute
Beyond the trial’s timeline, the court addressed Darshan’s current living conditions behind bars. The actor’s legal team alleged that he is being kept in a “quarantine cell” and denied the ability to interact with other inmates or access basic amenities.
While Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the Karnataka government, refuted claims of isolation—clarifying that the area was simply a space designated as a quarantine cell during the pandemic—the Supreme Court directed the state to ensure Darshan receives all prison amenities to which an undertrial prisoner is entitled. This follows a previous August 14 ruling where the top court cancelled the bail granted to Darshan and his co-accused.
Background of the Case
The case centers on the brutal June 2024 murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy. According to police reports, Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor, allegedly sent obscene messages to actress Pavithra Gowda. In retaliation, Darshan, Gowda, and several others are accused of abducting the victim and holding him in a Bengaluru shed for three days.
Renukaswamy was allegedly subjected to torture before his body was recovered from a drain. The investigation led to the arrest of Darshan and Gowda, both of whom remain in custody as the trial continues to draw significant public and judicial attention.
