Murder case: SC refuses to cancel actor Darshan’s bail, agrees to examine state plea

The state government, said the apex court, apprehended other co-accused would take advantage of the high court order.

“Since state is praying for cancellation of bail, it would not be proper to stay the operation of the order as it would amount to cancellation of bail. Yet, to protect the interest of prosecution, if any co-accused prays on bail, the court concerned shall not place reliance on the order challenged before us. Any bail application filed shall be decided on its own merit,” clarified the bench.

Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra along with advocate Anil Nishani, appearing for the state government, submitted that the high court completely “white-washed” the whole case.

He expressed apprehension and said the other co-accused would take benefit of the high court bail order.

The Karnataka High Court on December 13, 2024 granted bail to the actor Darshan and others.

Darshan was arrested on June 11, 2024, for allegedly killing his fan Renukaswamy on June 8 the same year after he reportedly sent obscene messages to Gowda.

Before the grant of bail, the actor was lodged at the Parappana Agrahara Jail in Bengaluru but when a photograph of him relaxing with some other jail inmates went viral, he was transferred to Ballari Central Jail.

The state moved the top court against the bail on January 6.

The mortal remains of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, an autorickshaw driver, were discovered on June 9, 2024.

He allegedly succumbed to injuries after being attacked on the orders of Darshan, who reportedly urged his fans to accost and kidnap Renukaswamy for posting derogatory comments about Gowda on social media.

The Karnataka High Court granted Darshan an interim bail on medical grounds for six weeks on October 30, 2024 but granted regular bail in December.