The Karnataka High Court on Friday granted bail to Kannada actors Darshan Thoogudeepa and Pavithra Gowda, the prime accused in the murder case of 33-year-old auto driver Renukaswamy.
Justice S Vishwajith Shetty also approved bail for five other accused in the case. The court had reserved its decision on the bail pleas, filed by Darshan and his co-accused, on December 9, Bar and Bench reported.
Renukaswamy’s body was discovered on June 9, with investigators alleging that he succumbed to injuries from an attack ordered by Darshan. The actor allegedly incited his fans to accost and kidnap Renukaswamy after he posted derogatory remarks about Gowda on social media.
Darshan was arrested on June 11. On October 30, Justice Shetty granted him six weeks of interim bail on medical grounds. Senior Counsel C V Nagesh, representing Darshan, argued that the actor was falsely implicated and claimed the prosecution had planted evidence against him.
Gowda’s counsel maintained she was unaware of any conspiracy to harm Renukaswamy, while Senior Counsel Aruna Shyam, representing co-accused Lakshman M, highlighted procedural lapses in the investigation, including delays in recording witness statements and conducting the post-mortem.
Special Public Prosecutor P Prasanna Kumar opposed the bail, asserting that Renukaswamy’s death was a clear case of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. He described the injuries as extensive, including “39 serious wounds,” “17 rib fractures,” and blood oozing from the victim’s testicles.
Kumar further emphasised the strength of the evidence, citing digital footprints, forensic reports, and witness statements linking the accused to the crime scene.