The Supreme Court on Monday directed the trial court in Bengaluru to submit a status report on the ongoing trial in the 2024 Renukaswamy murder case, in which Kannada actors Darshan Thoogudeepa and Pavitra Gowda, along with their associates, are the prime accused.
Status Report on Witness Examination
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Vijay Bishnoi, ordered the report to specify the number of witnesses examined so far, the number of witnesses yet to be examined, and the estimated time required to conclude the trial.
Bail Petition by Darshan Thoogudeepa
The bench also issued notices on a petition filed by Darshan seeking bail in the case. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Darshan, argued that the Supreme Court had previously cancelled his bail on August 14, 2025, and the actor has now spent a total of one year in jail. Rohatgi claimed that despite the court's caution against providing five-star treatment, Darshan is being denied even basic facilities and has been placed in a quarantine cell.
Rohatgi further submitted that out of 262 witnesses, only 10 have been examined so far, indicating that the trial would take a long time to complete. He contended that prolonged incarceration violates Darshan's rights under Article 21 of the Constitution. Additionally, the counsel alleged discrimination, stating that Darshan has not been allowed to receive or purchase food, clothing, and bedding from private sources, which is permitted under the Karnataka Prisons Act, 1963.
