New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on the Karnataka government’s plea challenging the bail granted to Kannada actor Darshan and others in the Renukaswamy murder case, strongly criticizing the Karnataka High Court’s decision.
A bench hearing the matter questioned the logic behind the bail granted by the HC, remarking, “Does the High Court pass similar orders in other cases too?” The court expressed deep unease with the HC’s approach, calling it “a perverse exercise of discretion.”
“We are seriously concerned. Did the High Court apply judicial mind while exercising its discretion? That is what we are examining,” said the bench.
In a sharp comment directed at co-accused Pavitra Lokesh’s counsel, the Supreme Court said, “All this happened because of you. You are the root cause of the problem.”
The apex court emphasized that it would not repeat the High Court’s mistake, stating firmly, “We are taking this seriously, as it involves a murder. We will examine everything carefully and see if the prosecution’s case inspires confidence.”
The bail order under scrutiny was issued on December 13, 2024, in favor of Darshan, who is accused of playing a central role in the abduction, torture, and murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy.
The court concluded by asserting that it would weigh all facts thoroughly before delivering its final verdict.