Supreme Court Reserves Order on Karnataka's Plea Against Bail Granted to Actor Darshan in Renukaswamy Murder Case

 The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on the Karnataka government’s petition challenging the High Court’s decision to grant bail to actor Darshan and other co-accused in the Renukaswamy murder case. The apex court raised serious concerns over the manner in which the High Court exercised its discretion while granting bail.

"Does the High Court pass similar orders in other cases as well?" the bench questioned, adding that the approach adopted by the High Court was "troubling." The Court went further, observing that the case raised a "question of perverse exercise of discretion."

“We are examining whether the High Court applied its judicial mind while exercising discretion. That is our primary concern,” the bench noted.

The Court also directly addressed Pavitra’s counsel, remarking, “All this happened because of you. You are the root cause of the problem.”

Assuring a thorough review, the Supreme Court stated, “We will examine all aspects and take an appropriate decision. We will not repeat the same mistake as the High Court.”

The bench emphasized the seriousness of the matter, stating, “This is a case of murder, and we are treating it with the gravity it deserves. We will assess whether the prosecution’s case inspires confidence.”

The case pertains to the Karnataka government’s appeal against the High Court’s order dated December 13, 2024, which granted bail to actor Darshan. He stands accused in the alleged abduction, torture, and murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy.

The Supreme Court reiterated its commitment to ensuring a fair and impartial examination, affirming, “We will carefully evaluate the evidence and legal arguments before delivering our judgment.”