SC cancels bail of actor Darshan in Renukaswamy murder case, terms Karnataka HC order ‘unwarranted’
PTC Web Desk: The Supreme Court on Thursday revoked the bail granted to Kannada actor Darshan in the Renukaswamy murder case, sharply criticising the Karnataka High Court’s decision as “perverse” and “wholly unwarranted.”
A Bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan held that the Karnataka High Court’s December 13, 2024, order suffered from “serious legal infirmities” and amounted to an “arbitrary exercise” of judicial discretion. The apex court noted that the Karnataka High Court had examined witness statements—a task reserved for the trial court—before deciding to grant bail.
“There was no legal justification to grant bail,” the Bench observed, stressing that Darshan’s release posed a potential risk to the administration of justice. Justice Pardiwala underscored that “no man is above the law” and that “obedience to law is a rule, not a favour.”
The court also issued a stern warning to state and jail authorities against extending any special privileges to Darshan while in custody. “The day we come to know that the accused are being given five-star treatment in jail, the jail superintendent will be suspended,” Justice Pardiwala said, specifically prohibiting any allowance for smoking or drinking inside prison.
Directing that Darshan be taken into custody “expeditiously,” the Bench reiterated the principle of equality before law in a democracy. It said the allegations, supported by forensic evidence, justified the cancellation of bail. “We are satisfied to exercise our extraordinary jurisdiction,” the order stated.
Darshan, who is currently in Tamil Nadu, is expected to be arrested once the Bengaluru police submit the Supreme Court’s order to the trial court and secure a warrant.
The apex court had earlier, on July 24, questioned whether the High Court had applied judicial mind before granting bail in a serious case involving murder and conspiracy. “We will not repeat the mistake the High Court made,” the bench said, adding, “We are a little serious because this is a case of murder and conspiracy.”
The case involves the killing of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, reportedly a fan of actress Pavithra Gowda, a close associate of Darshan. According to the police, the victim had allegedly sent obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda, which led to Darshan abducting him from Chitradurga in June 2024. The victim was allegedly tortured for three days in a shed in Bengaluru before succumbing to his injuries. His body was later found dumped in a drain.
- With inputs from agencies
