In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court on Thursday, August 14, 2025, cancelled the bail granted to Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case. The apex court has ordered his immediate arrest. The decision comes after the Karnataka state government challenged the Karnataka High Court's December 13, 2024, order, which had granted bail to Darshan and several other co-accused.

The bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan set aside the High Court's judgment, stating that it suffered from "serious infirmities" and reflected a "mechanical exercise" of power. The Supreme Court emphasized that the High Court had inappropriately undertaken an examination of evidence at the pre-trial stage, a task that is the prerogative of the trial court. The court also expressed concerns that the grant of bail could potentially impact the trial and allow for the influencing of witnesses.

The case revolves around the murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, who was allegedly abducted, tortured, and killed for sending obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda, an actress and close associate of Darshan. Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga and a fan of Darshan, was reportedly critical of Darshan's relationship with Gowda, as Darshan was still married to his wife, Vijayalakshmi.

According to the police, Renukaswamy was held in a shed in Bengaluru for three days in June 2024, where he was subjected to brutal torture. His body was later discovered near a drain. The post-mortem report indicated that Renukaswamy had sustained 39 external injuries, a broken chest bone, a torn ear and damage to his testicles, along with a deep, bleeding head injury and electric shocks, ultimately leading to his death.

During the Supreme Court hearings, the special public prosecutor presented evidence, including photographs showing Renukaswamy pleading for mercy. Witness statements indicated that individuals working at Darshan's house had assaulted Renukaswamy, with one person administering electric shocks.

The Supreme Court also issued a stern warning against providing any special treatment to the accused while in jail. The bench stated that all accused must be treated equally under the law, regardless of their celebrity status. The court cautioned that if it came to light that the accused were receiving "5-star treatment," immediate action would be taken, including the suspension of the superintendent and other involved officials.

Darshan, along with Pavithra Gowda and several others, was arrested in connection with the murder. The Bengaluru police filed a chargesheet on September 3, naming Pavithra as accused number 1 and Darshan as accused number 2.

The Supreme Court's decision to cancel Darshan's bail underscores the gravity of the charges against him and sends a strong message that no one is above the law. The court's firm stance against preferential treatment in jail further reinforces the principle of equality before the law. The case will now proceed in the trial court, where the evidence will be examined in detail to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused.