New Delhi/Bengaluru: In a major setback to Kannada actor Darshan and his fans, the Supreme Court has cancelled the bail granted to him in the Renukaswamy murder case, terming the earlier High Court order as flawed. The apex court has directed that the trial be fast-tracked with the examination of over 70 witnesses to be completed within six month
The Supreme Court observed that the High Court’s bail order contained technical lapses and stressed that no one is above the law, regardless of their public status. The bench noted that given the large number of witnesses and the gravity of the offence, bail could not be sustained.
During the hearing, the state government’s counsel assured the court that the trial could be completed within six months by conducting daily hearings. The Supreme Court accepted this assurance and made it a condition for expediting the witness examination process.
The court also took into account the prosecution’s claim that the accused, including Darshan and six others, could potentially influence witnesses if released on bail. The ruling means Darshan will now have to surrender and return to jail until the trial progresses.
This landmark judgment has sent shockwaves among Darshan’s supporters and the Kannada film industry, marking a critical turn in a high-profile case that has been closely watched across Karnataka.
