Apex court slams ‘5-star treatment’ for accused, orders immediate custody and speedy trial
New Delhi: In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India on Thursday cancelled the bail of Kannada actor Darshan, actress Pavithra Gowda, and five other accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, ordering their immediate return to jail and directing that the trial be conducted expeditiously.
A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan quashed the Karnataka High Court’s December 13, 2024 order granting bail, stating it was “riddled with serious weaknesses” and delivered in a mechanical manner.
"No matter how big the accused is, he is not above the law. The accused have been given 5-star treatment. The jail superintendent should have been suspended," the Supreme Court observed.
Supreme Court Slams High Court Order
The apex court criticised the High Court for granting bail on technical grounds and noted that the rule of law must prevail. It emphasised that no one is big or small before the law, adding that the trial court is the appropriate forum to decide the matter, given the presence of well-founded allegations and forensic evidence.
The bench also stressed that the bail cancellation was warranted to maintain the integrity of the judicial process.
Background of the Case
Darshan, along with Pavithra Gowda and others, is accused of kidnapping, torturing, and murdering 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of Darshan, for allegedly sending obscene messages to Pavithra.
According to police, on June 8, 2024, Renukaswamy was abducted from Chitradurga, kept captive in a shed in Bengaluru for three days, tortured to death, and his body dumped in a drain.
Darshan was arrested on June 11, 2024 in Mysuru and spent over four months in jail before being released in December on medical grounds citing back pain. The Karnataka government challenged his bail in the Supreme Court on January 24, 2025.
Court’s Observations
"The trial court is the only appropriate forum in this case. The well-founded allegations coupled with forensic evidence necessitate the cancellation of bail," the bench stated.
The court described its decision as a landmark verdict that sends a strong message about equality before the law.
Government’s Reaction
Government counsel welcomed the verdict, stating that the cancellation of bail “sends a clear message that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law.”
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