Darshan approaches Supreme Court over fresh bail plea in Renukaswamy murder case
Darshan has asked the Supreme Court to clarify that he can seek fresh bail if the Renukaswamy case trial continues to crawl. The plea says the earlier order was meant as a safeguard, not a bar on relief amid delay or hardship.
Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa has approached the Supreme Court seeking permission to file a fresh bail plea in the Renukaswamy abduction and murder case, citing the slow progress of the trial.
The move comes months after the apex court, on May 15, rejected his bail plea but allowed him to approach the court again after one year if the trial did not make significant progress.
In his latest application, Darshan has asked the Supreme Court to clarify that its earlier order should not stop him from seeking bail sooner if there are new developments in the case. He argued that the one-year timeline should not be treated as a blanket restriction preventing courts from considering fresh circumstances.
The actor has said he should be allowed to seek relief if the trial continues to move slowly, if he remains in jail for an extended period, if there are health-related concerns, or if other important circumstances arise.
According to the plea, Darshan has been in custody since August 2025, when the Supreme Court cancelled the bail granted to him and the other accused in the case. He has also maintained that he has fully cooperated with the investigation and court proceedings and has not done anything to delay the trial.
The application refers to the Supreme Court's May 15 order, in which a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Vijay Bishnoi refused bail and directed the trial court to conduct day-to-day hearings. The judges had also asked the trial court to begin by examining 60 key witnesses while noting concerns over the slow pace of the case.
Darshan has now argued that the order could be misunderstood as preventing him from filing any fresh bail plea before the completion of one year, regardless of how the case progresses. According to him, such an interpretation would leave him with little legal recourse even if the trial faces major delays or if other significant issues arise.
His plea further states that the Supreme Court's decision to allow him to seek bail after a year was meant to be an additional safeguard and not the only option available to him.
Earlier, Darshan had pointed out that the prosecution plans to examine around 262 witnesses and that only a small number have been examined so far. He argued that the trial could therefore take several years to conclude. He had also highlighted the impact of his prolonged incarceration on his career, livelihood and family.
The 49-year-old actor was arrested on June 11, 2024, in connection with the murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy from Chitradurga. According to the police, Renukaswamy was allegedly killed after sending obscene messages to Darshan's associate, Pavithra Gowda.
On August 14, 2025, the Supreme Court cancelled the bail granted to Darshan, Pavithra Gowda and the other accused in the case.
Through the fresh application, Darshan has asked the Supreme Court to make it clear that he can seek bail again before the one-year period ends if the trial continues to move slowly or if other significant developments emerge.
Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa has approached the Supreme Court seeking permission to file a fresh bail plea in the Renukaswamy abduction and murder case, citing the slow progress of the trial.
The move comes months after the apex court, on May 15, rejected his bail plea but allowed him to approach the court again after one year if the trial did not make significant progress.
In his latest application, Darshan has asked the Supreme Court to clarify that its earlier order should not stop him from seeking bail sooner if there are new developments in the case. He argued that the one-year timeline should not be treated as a blanket restriction preventing courts from considering fresh circumstances.
The actor has said he should be allowed to seek relief if the trial continues to move slowly, if he remains in jail for an extended period, if there are health-related concerns, or if other important circumstances arise.
According to the plea, Darshan has been in custody since August 2025, when the Supreme Court cancelled the bail granted to him and the other accused in the case. He has also maintained that he has fully cooperated with the investigation and court proceedings and has not done anything to delay the trial.
The application refers to the Supreme Court's May 15 order, in which a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Vijay Bishnoi refused bail and directed the trial court to conduct day-to-day hearings. The judges had also asked the trial court to begin by examining 60 key witnesses while noting concerns over the slow pace of the case.
Darshan has now argued that the order could be misunderstood as preventing him from filing any fresh bail plea before the completion of one year, regardless of how the case progresses. According to him, such an interpretation would leave him with little legal recourse even if the trial faces major delays or if other significant issues arise.
His plea further states that the Supreme Court's decision to allow him to seek bail after a year was meant to be an additional safeguard and not the only option available to him.
Earlier, Darshan had pointed out that the prosecution plans to examine around 262 witnesses and that only a small number have been examined so far. He argued that the trial could therefore take several years to conclude. He had also highlighted the impact of his prolonged incarceration on his career, livelihood and family.
The 49-year-old actor was arrested on June 11, 2024, in connection with the murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy from Chitradurga. According to the police, Renukaswamy was allegedly killed after sending obscene messages to Darshan's associate, Pavithra Gowda.
On August 14, 2025, the Supreme Court cancelled the bail granted to Darshan, Pavithra Gowda and the other accused in the case.
Through the fresh application, Darshan has asked the Supreme Court to make it clear that he can seek bail again before the one-year period ends if the trial continues to move slowly or if other significant developments emerge.
