In a defining judicial intervention, the Supreme Court on Thursday annulled the bail previously granted to Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and actress Pavithra Gowda, along with five co-accused, in the high-profile Renukaswamy murder case.
A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan decisively overturned the December 13, 2024 Karnataka High Court bail order, asserting that the decision was marred by “serious legal infirmities” and amounted to a “mechanical exercise of discretion”.
The Apex Court underscored that the High Court ventured into evaluating witness statements—an exercise reserved exclusively for the trial court—thus venturing into pre-trial territory improperly.
Justice Mahadevan emphasized the gravity of the offence and noted that the bail decision failed to evaluate factors such as the accused’s role or the risk of interference with judicial proceedings.
Concurrently, Justice Pardiwala delivered a strong admonition: “No man is above the law.” He sternly warned state and prison authorities against granting any preferential or “five-star” treatment to the accused. He cautioned that any such indulgence—like allowing smoking or unauthorized privileges—would result in the immediate suspension of jail officials, including the superintendent.
Responding to Karnataka’s appeal, the Supreme Court ordered the immediate arrest and custody of Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and the others involved, reversing their earlier release.
The case stems from the June 2024 murder of Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old man who was allegedly abducted, tortured, and killed after reportedly sending obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda through social media. Darshan is implicated as the second accused, while Pavithra Gowda is named as the prime accused in a detailed 3,991-page chargesheet filed by Bengaluru police in September 2024.
By annulling the bail, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the principles of equality before law and the sanctity of due process. It directed that the trial proceed expeditiously, while emphasizing that its verdict pertains solely to bail and will not prejudice the merits of the ongoing trial.
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