Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, July 17: The Supreme Court has raised serious concerns over the High Court’s decision to grant bail to popular actor Darshan and other accused in the high-profile Renukaswami murder case from Chitradurga.
A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and A Mahadevan expressed dissatisfaction with the way the High Court exercised its discretion while granting bail. The Supreme Court’s remarks came during the hearing of a petition filed by the Bengaluru City Police challenging the bail order.
“We are not convinced that the High Court applied its mind appropriately,” the bench stated sharply.
Senior counsel Kapil Sibal, representing actor Darshan, was asked to provide compelling reasons why the Supreme Court should not intervene and overturn the bail. The matter was adjourned for further hearing on July 22.
The bench candidly told Sibal, “Frankly, we find the High Court’s reasoning unsatisfactory. We will hear your submissions on this point carefully.”
Emphasising the need for a detailed examination, the bench said, “Your clients have secured bail, but the manner in which the High Court passed the order requires scrutiny. We will consider your arguments accordingly.”
Kapil Sibal sought time to examine crucial witness statements submitted by the police and the trial court records.
The Supreme Court also quizzed senior counsel Siddharth Luthra, representing the Karnataka state government, about the accused’s prior criminal records, instructing him to present any such information at the next hearing.
Luthra pointed out that the case concerns not only the antecedents of the accused but also their conduct post-bail. He highlighted that actor Darshan allegedly shared a public platform with a key prosecution witness after being granted bail, a behaviour that could potentially influence the evidence.
Sibal rebutted, insisting the individual was not a key witness. Luthra challenged him, “If not a key witness, then how do you define a key witness?”
The High Court had earlier granted regular bail to Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, Lakshman, Pradush, Nagaraju, Anukumar, and Jagadish, while the trial court had extended bail to the remaining ten accused.
The case stems from the brutal abduction and murder of Renukaswamy in Chitradurga on June 8, 2024. Kamakshipalya police arrested 17 people, including Darshan and Pavithra Gowda, in connection with the heinous crime.