‘Not Convinced…’: Supreme Court Frowns Upon Karnataka HC Granting Bail To Actor Darshan

Last Updated:July 17, 2025, 17:34 IST

The Supreme Court questioned Karnataka High Court's decision to grant bail to actor Darshan in the Renukaswamy murder case, asking his lawyers to justify it.

Kannada actor Darshan had been granted bail in December. (File)

The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed serious reservations about the manner in which the Karnataka High Court granted bail to Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa in the Renukaswamy murder case.

A bench of Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan said it was “not at all convinced" by the manner in which the high court exercised its discretion and asked Darshan’s lawyers to present compelling reasons for why the apex court should not intervene.

“To be very honest with you, we are not convinced with the manner in which the High Court has exercised discretion. Very honestly, we will say this. We will hear you because your clients are on bail. But you must have seen the manner in which the High Court dictated the order," the bench told Kapil Sibal, appearing for Darshan.

Responding to the bench, Sibal argued that irrespective of the High Court’s order, the Supreme Court could examine the statements recorded under Sections 161 and 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, along with testimonies from two or three key witnesses, including those from the police, reported Livelaw.

Keeping the matter for next Tuesday, Justice Pardiwala said, “You need to convince us that there is no good reason for this court to interfere."

When Sibal asked which part of the High Court’s order the bench finds problematic, Justice Pardiwala replied: “That part of the order, Mr Sibal, where the High Court was really panting how to release them on bail."

What’s The Case?

The bench was hearing a plea filed by the state government challenging the high court’s order dated December 13, 2024, which had granted bail to Darshan, who is accused of being involved in the torture and killing of 33-year-old Renukaswamy.

The 33-year-old was allegedly abducted by Darshan and his aides from Chitradurga and then tortured in a shed in Bengaluru in June last year over obscene messages sent to Darshan’s alleged partner, actor Pavithra Gowda. After Renukaswamy died, his body was thrown into a drain. The police has alleged the victim was held in a shed in Bengaluru for three days in June 2024 and subjected to brutal torture and his body was recovered from a drain.

(With inputs from agencies)

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

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