Supreme Court cancels bail of Darshan, Pavithra Gowda and 5 others in the Renukaswamy case.
Detailed Timeline Report
1. Crime and Discovery (June 8-9, 2024)
Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old fan from Chitradurga, allegedly sent obscene messages to actress Pavithra Gowda. In retaliation, he was lured to Bengaluru, confined in a shed in Pattanagere in RR Nagar, and brutally assaulted. He died from his injuries. On June 9, his body was found near a drain in Sumanahalli, sparking a murder probe.
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2. Arrests and Key Accusations (June 10-11, 2024)
Initial suspects claimed a financial dispute, but inconsistencies led police to high-profile names. Actor Darshan Thoogudeepa was arrested in Mysuru on June 11, along with Pavithra Gowda and several associates. Police accused them of abduction, assault, and murder, citing motive linked to the alleged messages.
3. Custody and Prison Transfers (June-September 2024)
The accused were remanded to police custody, then judicial custody. They were first held in Bengaluru Central Prison but later shifted to Ballari jail after a photo of Darshan inside prison went viral, raising concerns of preferential VIP treatment.
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4. Chargesheet Filed (September 2024)
Investigators submitted a 3,991-page chargesheet with testimony from over 200 witnesses, CCTV footage, and forensic evidence, placing Darshan and Pavithra at the centre of the crime.
5. Medical Bail Granted (October 2024)
Darshan was granted interim bail for spinal surgery, fueling debates on VIP treatment in custody.
6. Regular Bail from High Court (December 13, 2024)
The Karnataka High Court granted regular bail to Darshan, Pavithra, and five others. Critics alleged the decision could hamper witness safety.
7. International Travel Permissions (2025)
While on bail, Darshan sought and received permission to travel abroad for film shoots, including to Europe, Dubai, and Thailand, drawing public outrage.
8. Supreme Court Cancels Bail (August 14, 2025)
The Supreme Court overturned the High Court’s bail order, calling it procedurally flawed. It cited risks of witness intimidation and stressed that no one is above the law. Immediate arrest orders were issued.
9. Re-Arrests and Next Steps
Pavithra was quickly taken into custody, while Darshan was caught later near the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border. The apex court instructed prison authorities to ensure no special privileges and urged a speedy trial.
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