Karnataka government challenges bail granted to actor Darshan Thoogudeepa in murder case
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The Karnataka government has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the Karnataka High Court’s decision to grant bail to actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, his partner Pavitra Gowda, and other accused in the murder case of Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old man who was reportedly a fan of the actor.
The High Court had initially granted Thoogudeepa interim bail on October 30, 2024, to undergo surgery. On December 13, 2024, the court extended regular bail to Thoogudeepa, Gowda, and five others accused in the case, as reported by Live Law.
Thoogudeepa was arrested on June 11, 2024, after the body of Renukaswamy was discovered in a drain in Bengaluru’s Summanahalli area on June 9. Renukaswamy had allegedly been sending abusive messages to Gowda, which is believed to have escalated into a fatal confrontation.
Alongside Thoogudeepa and Gowda, a total of 15 individuals were charged in connection with the murder. Following his arrest, Thoogudeepa was initially held at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail.
Concerns of preferential treatment in custody surfaced when a photograph of Thoogudeepa sitting with three other inmates on a prison lawn went viral on social media. This led to the suspension of nine central jail officials in Bengaluru.
Additionally, in August, a Bengaluru court allowed authorities to transfer Thoogudeepa to the Ballari district prison, with reports suggesting he received special privileges at his previous location.