The Supreme Court of India has cancelled the bail previously granted to Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, along with actress Pavithra Gowda and several other co-accused, in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case. The ruling, delivered on Thursday, August 14, 2025, by a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, has led to the immediate arrest of Darshan and Pavithra Gowda.

The case revolves around the murder of Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old fan of Darshan, who allegedly sent obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda on social media. The prosecution alleges that Darshan, along with Pavithra Gowda and others, abducted Renukaswamy on June 8, 2024, and held him in a shed in Bengaluru, where he was tortured for three days before his body was dumped in a stormwater drain. A 3,991-page chargesheet has been filed, naming 17 accused, including Darshan and Pavithra Gowda.

The Karnataka High Court had earlier granted bail to Darshan and several other accused in December 2024. However, the Supreme Court has now set aside this order, citing "serious legal infirmities" and a "mechanical exercise of power" by the High Court. The Supreme Court stated that the High Court's decision was "perverse" and "wholly unwarranted," emphasizing that the grant of bail could impact the trial and allow the accused to influence witnesses. The Supreme Court bench also warned the state government against providing special treatment to the accused while in prison, stating that any such privileges would lead to the suspension of the responsible officials.

Following the Supreme Court's order, Bengaluru police arrested Pavithra Gowda from her residence in RR Nagar. Darshan was arrested from his Hosakerehalli residence, reportedly entering through the back gate to avoid the media, after visiting his wife and son. Three other co-accused, Pradoosh S Rao, Lakshman M, and Nagaraju R, were also arrested. Pavithra Gowda will be produced before a trial court after a medical examination. It is expected that Darshan will be sent back to the central prison in Ballari, where he was previously held.

The Supreme Court has directed that the trial in the Renukaswamy murder case be conducted expeditiously. The court's decision underscores the principle that no one is above the law, regardless of their popularity or privilege. The apex court emphasized that Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees equality before the law and prohibits arbitrariness.