New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its judgment on the Karnataka government’s petition seeking cancellation of bail granted to Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa in the Renukaswamy murder case, a high-profile custodial torture and murder that has shocked Karnataka.
A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan reserved the order after hearing extensive arguments from the state and the defense. The apex court also directed the counsels for some of the accused to submit written arguments within a week.
The plea filed by the Karnataka government challenges the Karnataka High Court’s December 13, 2024 verdict, which granted bail to Darshan and several other accused in the case.
Darshan, along with actress Pavithra Gowda and multiple co-accused, is facing charges of abducting and brutally torturing 33-year-old fan Renukaswamy, who had allegedly sent vulgar messages to Pavithra on social media. Police investigations allege that the victim was illegally confined for three days in a shed in Bengaluru in June 2024, tortured, and later his body was dumped in a drain.
The Supreme Court had earlier issued notices on January 24, 2025, to Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and others involved in the case, following the state’s appeal for bail cancellation.
The matter continues to draw widespread public and legal attention, with the state government strongly opposing bail, citing the heinous nature of the crime and influence of the accused.
