Today, On 24th January, The Supreme Court issued a notice to Darshan in response to Karnataka’s appeal challenging his bail in the Renukawsmy murder case. The Karnataka High Court had granted regular bail to Darshan, Pavithra, and five other accused on December 13, 2024. The state government has questioned the decision, seeking its reversal. The case will now be reviewed by the apex court for further consideration.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court requested responses from Kannada actors Darshan Thoogudeepa, Pavithra Gowda, and five others regarding an appeal filed by the Karnataka government against the bail granted to them by the Karnataka High Court in the Renukaswamy murder case.
A Bench consisting of Justice JB Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan issued a notice to the accused, directing them to submit their responses within four weeks.
Also Read: [Renukaswamy Murder Case] Actor Darshan Remanded to Judicial Custody Until July 4
The body of 33-year-old auto-driver Renukaswamy was discovered on June 9, with allegations suggesting he died from injuries inflicted during an attack orchestrated on Darshan’s orders.
It is claimed that Darshan incited his fans to confront and kidnap Renukaswamy for making derogatory remarks about Pavithra Gowda on social media. Darshan was arrested on June 11 of this year.
On October 30, the High Court granted him interim bail for six weeks on medical grounds, and later, on December 13, it granted regular bail to Darshan, Pavithra, and the other five accused.
Single-judge Justice S. Vishwajith Shetty noted that the prosecution had failed to provide valid grounds for the arrest of the accused. He referenced a Supreme Court judgment in the case of journalist and editor Prabir Purkayastha, which clarified that grounds for arrest must be distinct from reasons for arrest, ensuring that all arrested individuals receive specific grounds related to their cases to allow for a fair defense and bail application.
In this instance, the High Court observed that the prosecution had delayed serving the grounds for arrest and that these grounds were identical for all accused rather than specific. Following this, the State appealed to the Supreme Court to challenge the bail order.
The plea was filed with the top court on January 6 through Krishna & Nishani Law Chambers.
Darshan apprehended on June 11 for his alleged involvement in the murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy. Renukaswamy, a fan of Darshan, had reportedly sent inappropriate messages to Darshan’s co-star and friend, Pavithra Gowda, who also arrested in connection with the case.
The messages allegedly infuriated the actor, leading him to enlist a member of his fan club to carry out the murder, according to sources.
Sources further revealed that Raghavendra, a member of Darshan’s fan club, enticed Renukaswamy to a shed in RR Nagar under the guise of arranging a meeting with the actor. It was there that Renukaswamy allegedly tortured and killed.
Several of the accused, while in police custody, have confessed that Darshan paid Rs 30 lakh to have Renukaswamy killed, dispose of the body, and destroy evidence. They also reportedly compensated to surrender and take the blame for the murder, according to the investigation report.
The autopsy revealed that Renukaswamy suffered a brutal attack with wooden clubs, leading to his death “due to shock and haemorrhage resulting from multiple blunt injuries.” The post-mortem also noted that Renukaswamy was kicked, causing a ruptured testicle.
Additionally, the autopsy indicated that Renukaswamy was subjected to electric shocks before his death. Details of this alleged torture emerged during the interrogation of an accomplice, according to sources.
Seventeen individuals stand accused in this murder case.
Police seized slippers, clothing, materials, and various documents related to actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who also implicated in the murder, from Pavithra’s residence. It is alleged that Dhanaraj, also known as Raja, a member of Darshan’s group and the ninth accused in the case, administered electric shocks to Renukaswamy. The police recovered an ‘Electric Shock Torch’ from Dhanaraj’s home.
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