In a scathing rebuke, the Supreme Court on Thursday condemned the Karnataka High Court’s decision to grant bail to actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, a prime accused in the alleged kidnapping, torture, and murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy in June 2024. Terming the High Court’s action a “perverse exercise of judicial power,” the top court expressed deep concern over the reasoning presented in the December bail order.
This marks the second reprimand in a week by the apex court over the actor’s release. A bench led by Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan strongly criticised the High Court’s language and tone, stating, “Don’t you think the High Court declared an order of acquittal?”
The bench, visibly dismayed, questioned whether the High Court applied similar reasoning in other cases, particularly pointing to the argument that “grounds of arrest were not furnished” in a murder case. “It is, prima facie, a perverse exercise of judicial power,” the court noted.
Court Displeasure Over Preferential Trial Treatment
The apex court also directed pointed questions at the state government over the expedited timeline for Darshan’s trial, which is now expected to be completed in six months. Justice Pardiwala questioned, “Why this urgency when others have been languishing in prison for years?”
ALSO READ: ‘Why are you being used for political battles?’: Supreme Court lambasts ED
The controversial case centres around the brutal killing of Renukaswamy, whose body was discovered in a stormwater drain in Bengaluru on June 9. Investigators allege the crime was orchestrated in retaliation for obscene messages he had reportedly sent to Pavithra Gowda, a close associate of Darshan and also an accused in the case.
According to police findings, Darshan allegedly paid ₹50 lakh to different individuals for various roles in the conspiracy and execution of the murder. This includes ₹30 lakh to one Pradosh (alias Pawan) for orchestrating the entire crime, ₹5 lakh each to Nikhil and Keshavamurthy, and another ₹5 lakh promised to the families of Raghavendra and Karthik – two men who allegedly submitted false confessions and took the fall for Darshan and Pavithra Gowda.
Public Outrage and Past Controversies
Public sentiment around the case has intensified due to Darshan’s past behaviour while out on bail. In April, the actor skipped a mandatory court appearance citing back pain, only to be seen at a movie screening later that day. Earlier, images showing him and fellow accused lounging in jail gardens sparked nationwide outrage, prompting authorities to transfer him to another facility.
While the Supreme Court has refrained from making observations on conviction or acquittal, it made clear its dissatisfaction with the manner in which justice is perceived to be administered in such high-profile cases.
