Darshan back to jail; Supreme Court cancels Challenging Star’s bail
Kannada actor Darshan has been out on bail since December last year and recently wrapped up the shoot of his next film, The Devil, despite claiming to have had serious back problems
Darshan's bail cancelled
Last Updated: 01.28 PM, Aug 14, 2025
After 8 months of freedom, during which he completed shooting his next film, The Devil, Kannada cinema’s Challenging Star Darshan Thoogudeepa will be back in jail in the Renukaswamy murder case. On August 14, the apex court cancelled the bail granted to the actor in the case by the Karnataka High Court and ordered his immediate arrest.
The background to the case
The Supreme Court verdict today is in response to a plea by the counsel representing the government of Karnataka, seeking cancellation of the actor’s bail. Darshan was arrested in June last year in the murder of 35-year-old Chitradurga resident Renukaswamy, a fan of the star, who allegedly sent obscene messages to the actor’s ‘friend’ Pavitra Gowda.
Renukaswamy was allegedly lured to a shed in Bengaluru, at the behest of the actor, where he was tortured and died from extensive injuries sustained. Darshan is accused number 2 in the case and had claimed intense back pain necessitating surgery for which he was initially granted medical bail and subsequently regular bail in the HC.
However, Darshan allegedly received no such treatment, and after staying out of the public eye for several months, resumed work on the film The Devil, directed by Prakash Veer. Principal photography of the film was wrapped up recently and the team is set to release the first song, Idre Nemdiyaag Irbeku on August 15, 2025.
During the Supreme Court proceedings about the bail order, the apex court had taken objection to the High Court order, stating that it had “dictated an order of acquittal” in a “perverse exercise” of discretionary power. When actress Ramya shared reports of the court proceedings on social media, she was subjected to intense online abuse by fans of the actor, forcing her to file a police complaint.
FAQs
Q. Why was Darshan arrested?
A. Darshan was arrested on June 11, 2024 in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case. 35-year-old Renukaswamy was tortured to death for allegedly sending lewd messages to Darshan's alleged partner of many years, Pavitra Gowda and at his behest, the former was brought to Bengaluru, where he was beaten up and later succumbed to his injuries. Pavitra is accused number 1, while Darshan is accused number 2.
Q. When was Darshan given bail?
A. Darshan was granted interim medical bail in late November claiming he needed surgical intervention for a bad back issue. He was then granted regular bail by the High Court in mid-December, the circumstances of which have been questioned by the Supreme Court, which, on August 14, 2025, 8 months later, cancelled his bail.