Supreme Court Cancels Kannada Actor Darshan's Bail in Murder Case
The Supreme Court has cancelled the bail granted to Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa in the Renukaswamy murder case, stating "however high you may be, the rule of law should prevail." The court overturned a Karnataka High Court order, noting it suffered from "serious infirmities." Darshan, along with his partner Pavithra Gowda and others, is accused of abducting and fatally torturing Renukaswamy, a fan who allegedly sent obscene messages to Gowda. The victim's body was found in a Bengaluru drain.
Unpacked:
The Supreme Court cancelled Darshan's bail because it found the Karnataka High Court's order premature and mechanistic, criticized the pre-trial examination by the High Court, and emphasized that granting bail could allow the accused to influence the trial and witnesses in such a serious case.
Darshan Thoogudeepa is a popular Kannada film actor, producer, and distributor, known as 'Challenging Star' with a significant fan following in Karnataka. His celebrity status and the brutal nature of the crime have made the case highly publicized and controversial.
Renukaswamy was allegedly murdered after he sent obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda, Darshan's partner. The victim was reportedly abducted, tortured, and killed by Darshan, Gowda, and associates as a reaction to these messages.
Evidence includes forensic reports, photographs showing the victim pleading for mercy, and accounts of torture resulting in both external and internal injuries. The prosecution argues these details support the serious charges against Darshan and his co-accused.