SC cancles Darshan Thoogudeepa’s bail in Renukaswamy murder case; actor arrested

The Supreme Court on Thursday cancelled Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa’s bail in the Renukaswamy murder case and ordered police to take him into custody.

The High Court had granted bail to Darshan and co-accused Pradoosh Rao, Jagadish alias Jaggu, Anu Kumar, Lakshman M, and Nagaraju K on December 13, 2024, after they were arrested for Renukaswamy’s murder.

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Hearing the matter, a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan slammed the Karnataka High Court for granting bail to the actor, terming the order a mechanical exercise of power.

“We considered the grant of bail as well as cancellation, and it is evident that the high court order reflects a mechanical exercise of power. The grant of bail will impact the trial, and the witnesses can be influenced,” said Justice Mahadevan.

Justice Pardiwala praised Justice Mahadevan for the order cancelling the actor’s bail.

“Justice Mahadevan has pronounced a very erudite judgment. It is ineffable. It conveys a message that, however big the accused may be, he or she is not above the law,” Justice Pardiwala said.

Sharing details of the court’s order, Advocate DL Chidananda, representing the Karnataka government in the case, said, “The Supreme Court said that the High Court has not followed the principles of law that apply for granting bail. It also reiterated that the rule of law prevails in the country, and howsoever influential an individual may be, they must be treated in accordance with the law.”

The court also warned jail authorities of strict action if they are found providing special privileges to the accused actor.

Actor arrested hours after SC order

Hours after top court set aside Karnataka High Court order, cancelling the actor’s bail, he was arrested by the Bengaluru police from his wife’s residence in Bengaluru’s Hosakerehalli.

Earlier in June last year, Darshan and his co-star and friend, Pavithra Gowda, were arrested for their alleged involvement in the murder of Renukaswamy, a die-hard fan of the actor.

Renukaswamy, 33, an autorickshaw driver, was allegedly kidnapped from Chitradurga district on June 8 after reportedly sending derogatory messages to Gowda, which infuriated Darshan, according to police. His body was later found near Sumanahalli Bridge in Bengaluru.

An autopsy revealed Renukaswamy was brutally attacked and died “due to shock and hemorrhage as a result of multiple blunt injuries sustained”.

The post-mortem report also indicated Renukaswamy was kicked and suffered a ruptured testicle. He was also given electric shocks before his death, it said.