Supreme court cancels bail for actor Darshan in murder case.
Police claimed the victim was confined in a shed in Bengaluru for three days in June 2024, during which he was tortured. Investigators allege the prolonged captivity and abuse were deliberate, and the location was chosen to conceal the crime from authorities.
Supreme Court Cancels Bail of Actor Darshan in Renukaswamy Murder Case, Slams High Court’s ‘Mechanical’ Order
Development in one of Karnataka’s most closely followed criminal trials.
A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan delivered the ruling on Thursday, overturning the Karnataka High Court’s December 13, 2024 decision that had allowed Darshan and some of his co-accused to walk free pending trial.
The top court was blunt in its assessment of the High Court’s reasoning. Calling the earlier order “seriously infirm,” the bench said it appeared to have been issued in a “mechanical” manner, without the depth of consideration a case of this gravity demanded.
Instead of a careful judicial application of mind, it reflects a mechanical exercise. Moreover, the High Court undertook an examination of aspects that were premature at this pre-trial stage,” the bench observed in its judgment.
The ruling came in response to an appeal filed by the Karnataka government, which had challenged the High Court’s decision to release Darshan and several others accused in the murder case.
A Fan’s Death that Shocked KarnatakaAt the heart of the case lies the killing of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga district and a devoted fan of Darshan. According to the police, Renukaswamy had allegedly sent obscene and threatening messages to actress Pavithra Gowda, who is also a co-accused in the case and said to be close to Darshan.
What followed, investigators allege, was a chilling chain of events. Over the next three days, police say, he was tortured in a manner that suggested a calculated intent to cause harm.
His body was later found dumped in a drain, a detail that added to the public outrage. The grim discovery turned what could have been a police file buried in legal corridors into a headline-grabbing case that stirred conversations about celebrity influence, abuse of power, and the vulnerability of ordinary citizens.
A Long Road of Legal Back-and-ForthDarshan, 47, has been a major figure in the Kannada film industry for over two decades, often referred to by fans as the “Challenging Star.” His arrest in mid-2024 sent
Prosecutors argued that releasing him and other key accused posed a risk to the investigation and could intimidate witnesses.
The Supreme Court’s intervention began on January 24, 2025, when it issued notices to Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and several other accused persons after hearing the Karnataka government’s plea.
In their ruling, Justices Pardiwala and Mahadevan noted that the High Court appeared to have assessed aspects of the evidence that should only be examined during a trial, rather than at the bail stage. They stressed that bail decisions, especially in serious crimes like murder, must be made with due regard to the potential impact on the investigation and the safety of witnesses.
The bench also suggested that the High Court failed to give adequate weight to the seriousness of the charges, the potential influence of the accused, and the broader interests of justice.
Legal experts note that such strong language from the Supreme Court about a High Court’s handling of bail is uncommon, underscoring the gravity with which the apex court views this case.
Celebrity Trials and Public SentimentOn one side are those who see the allegations as a stain on the image of a beloved star, insisting that the courts should presume innocence until proven guilty. On the other are voices — including activists, legal observers, and some in the media — who argue that celebrity status should not shield anyone from accountability.
Public interest has also been fueled by the human dimensions of the case: a fan’s life cut short, the allegations of cruelty, and the sense that the events unfolded far.
For Renukaswamy’s family, Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling offers a measure of reassurance that the case will be pursued without undue influence. For Darshan’s supporters, it is a blow, but one that leaves open the possibility of proving his innocence at trial.
What Lies AheadWith bail cancelled, Darshan and the other accused are likely to return to judicial custody as the trial process continues. The police, meanwhile, will press forward with presenting their evidence, which reportedly includes witness statements, forensic reports, and digital communications linked to the alleged motive.
The case will now proceed in the lower court, where the challenge will be balancing the celebrity glare with the slow, methodical demands of criminal justice.
As the legal battle unfolds, one truth remains: beyond the legal arguments and the celebrity intrigue lies a story of violence, loss, and the fundamental question of whether the scales of justice can remain steady when weighed against the influence of fame.