SC slams Karnataka HC over bail to actor Darshan in fan murder case
Hearing a plea challenging actor Darshan’s bail in the fan murder case, the Supreme Court, for the second time this week, expressed displeasure over Karnataka High Court’s handling of the case, as per reports.The apex court reportedly observed that even though the December 2024 order granted bail, the language read like it was an ‘order of acquittal’.The bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan was hearing the plea by the Karnataka government.“Does this High Court dictate the same kind of order in other cases too?” asked an irked Justice Pardiwala, as per reports.The apex court reportedly noted that it was a “perverse exercise of judicial power”. It said that such a ‘mistake’ is acceptable for a trial court judge, but not for a high court judge.The Supreme Court was also unhappy about the daily hearing of Darshan’s case in Karnataka, asking why this case was receiving so much attention when there were many prisoners waiting for their chance.In the previous hearing on Tuesday, the SC had also raised objections over the Karnataka High Court’s decision to grant bail to the actor. It had expressed strong reservations about the manner in which the high court exercised its discretion in granting bail to the actor in connection with the fan murder case.The court had told senior counsel Kapil Sibal, “To be very honest, we are not convinced with the manner in which the High Court exercised its discretion. We will very honestly say this.”The Karnataka government has filed a plea seeking cancellation of bail granted to Darshan and other accused in the case. Senior counsels Siddharth Luthra and Anil C Nishani are representing the state government and presenting their arguments.Darshan, Pavithra, and 15 others were arrested on June 11, 2024, on charges of kidnapping and brutally murdering Renukaswamy, a fan from Chitradurga.Renukaswamy had allegedly sent derogatory and obscene messages to Pavithra, angry over Darshan’s continued relationship with her despite being married.Sources close to Darshan revealed that Pavithra competed with Darshan’s wife Vijayalakshmi over jewellery and luxury cars. She allegedly pressured Darshan to make public appearances with her after he had been seen with his wife. Pavithra and Vijayalakshmi also had public spats through social media, leading Darshan’s fanbase to split into factions.Renukaswamy, who supported Vijayalakshmi, had criticised Pavithra – a move that ultimately led to his brutal murder, according to police findings.Darshan is busy shooting for his upcoming film ‘Devil’. Sources confirmed that he is in Thailand currently. Since his release from prison on October 30, 2024, after spending 131 days in custody, he has been participating in shoots.In a major relief to Darshan earlier, the Karnataka HC on February 28 allowed him to travel across the country. Previously, he had been restricted to Bengaluru and the jurisdiction of the sessions court.(with inputs from syndicated feed)
Hearing a plea challenging actor Darshan’s bail in the fan murder case, the Supreme Court, for the second time this week, expressed displeasure over Karnataka High Court’s handling of the case, as per reports.
The apex court reportedly observed that even though the December 2024 order granted bail, the language read like it was an ‘order of acquittal’.
The bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan was hearing the plea by the Karnataka government.
“Does this High Court dictate the same kind of order in other cases too?” asked an irked Justice Pardiwala, as per reports.
The apex court reportedly noted that it was a “perverse exercise of judicial power”. It said that such a ‘mistake’ is acceptable for a trial court judge, but not for a high court judge.
The Supreme Court was also unhappy about the daily hearing of Darshan’s case in Karnataka, asking why this case was receiving so much attention when there were many prisoners waiting for their chance.
In the previous hearing on Tuesday, the SC had also raised objections over the Karnataka High Court’s decision to grant bail to the actor.
It had expressed strong reservations about the manner in which the high court exercised its discretion in granting bail to the actor in connection with the fan murder case.
The court had told senior counsel Kapil Sibal, “To be very honest, we are not convinced with the manner in which the High Court exercised its discretion. We will very honestly say this.”
The Karnataka government has filed a plea seeking cancellation of bail granted to Darshan and other accused in the case. Senior counsels Siddharth Luthra and Anil C Nishani are representing the state government and presenting their arguments.
Darshan, Pavithra, and 15 others were arrested on June 11, 2024, on charges of kidnapping and brutally murdering Renukaswamy, a fan from Chitradurga.
Renukaswamy had allegedly sent derogatory and obscene messages to Pavithra, angry over Darshan’s continued relationship with her despite being married.
Sources close to Darshan revealed that Pavithra competed with Darshan’s wife Vijayalakshmi over jewellery and luxury cars. She allegedly pressured Darshan to make public appearances with her after he had been seen with his wife. Pavithra and Vijayalakshmi also had public spats through social media, leading Darshan’s fanbase to split into factions.
Renukaswamy, who supported Vijayalakshmi, had criticised Pavithra – a move that ultimately led to his brutal murder, according to police findings.
Darshan is busy shooting for his upcoming film ‘Devil’. Sources confirmed that he is in Thailand currently. Since his release from prison on October 30, 2024, after spending 131 days in custody, he has been participating in shoots.
In a major relief to Darshan earlier, the Karnataka HC on February 28 allowed him to travel across the country. Previously, he had been restricted to Bengaluru and the jurisdiction of the sessions court.
(with inputs from syndicated feed)
What's Your Reaction?
