The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its judgment on the Karnataka government’s plea challenging the bail granted to Kannada actor Darshan in the Renukaswamy murder case.
A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan heard final arguments from all parties before reserving its decision.
The court also allowed the legal representatives of several co-accused to submit written arguments within one week.
State Challenges Bail In High-Profile Murder Case
The plea before the Supreme Court stemmed from the Karnataka High Court’s December 13, 2024 order, which granted bail to Darshan and others accused in the case. The state government moved the apex court, arguing that the gravity of the offence and the influence of the accused warranted cancellation of the bail.
Darshan, a popular actor in the Kannada film industry, is among several individuals, including actress Pavithra Gowda, accused of involvement in the abduction and killing of Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old man from Karnataka.
Allegations Of Abduction, Torture, & Murder
According to the police, Renukaswamy had allegedly sent obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda, which reportedly led to the deadly retaliation. Investigators claim the victim was abducted in June 2024, confined in a shed in Bengaluru for three days, and subjected to severe torture before his body was found in a drain.
The brutal nature of the crime, combined with the celebrity status of the accused, attracted significant media attention and public outrage.
Supreme Court Intervention
The Supreme Court had earlier issued notices on January 24, 2025, to Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and others in response to the state’s petition. During Thursday’s hearing, state counsel argued that granting bail in such a serious and sensitive case could undermine the investigation and potentially lead to witness intimidation or tampering with evidence.
On the other hand, lawyers representing the accused contended that the High Court’s order was passed with due consideration and that the accused had not violated any bail conditions.
Verdict Awaited
The Supreme Court made it clear that it would review the matter strictly on legal grounds and withhold any comment on the merits of the criminal case at this stage.
The verdict, expected in the coming weeks, will determine whether the bail granted to Darshan and others will stand or be set aside. The decision is being closely watched, given the high-profile nature of the case and the serious allegations involved.
For now, the accused remain on bail, pending the Supreme Court’s final ruling.
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