Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday sharply criticised the Karnataka High Court’s handling of the Renukaswamy murder case, calling the grant of bail to actor Darshan and six co-accused a “perverse prima facie exercise of discretion”. The apex court questioned whether the high court’s bail order amounted to a de facto acquittal.
SC Questions Reasoning, Flags Judicial Oversight
During the hearing of the Karnataka government’s plea seeking cancellation of Darshan’s bail, Justice JB Pardiwala took a strong view of how the high court framed its order. He remarked, “Does the High Court dictate such orders in all bail applications? Very sorry to say, but this looks like an order of acquittal, not bail.” The court also expressed concern over the judge’s understanding of procedural aspects, especially in a murder case under Section 302 of the IPC.
Defence Claims Findings Not Binding, SC Unmoved
Senior advocate Siddharth Dave, representing Darshan, argued that the high court’s findings were only preliminary and would not influence the trial. However, Justice Pardiwala responded firmly, saying the court was reviewing whether discretion was applied judiciously. “We’re examining the application of mind by the high court. That’s the issue,” he added.
Background Of The Case
Darshan Toogudeep Srinivas, a popular Kannada actor, was granted bail in December along with Pavithra Gowda and five others. They are accused in the brutal murder of Renukaswamy, a medical store employee from Chitradurga, whose body was found on June 9 in a storm drain in Bengaluru. The police alleged that the victim was abducted, tortured and killed at a shed in Pattanagere, with the motive linked to messages he had sent to Pavithra Gowda.
What’s Next?
With the Supreme Court openly criticising the high court’s approach and considering a review of the bail decision, the case could see a reversal in the interim relief granted to the accused. The top court’s intervention has also sparked a larger debate over judicial consistency and sensitivity in high-profile criminal matters.
