Bengaluru Police to move SC against Darshan's bail

The Bengaluru Police would appeal to the Supreme Court against the bail granted to Kannada actor Darshan in connection with the fan murder case, Police Commissioner B Dayanand said on Friday.

The Karnataka High Court had granted conditional bail to Kannada actor Darshan on October 30 on medical grounds. (ANI)

The Karnataka High Court had granted conditional bail to Darshan on October 30 on medical grounds. The actor, who spent 131 days in jail, was released to undergo treatment for severe back pain at BGS Apollo Hospital in Bengaluru.

Dayanand said police would challenge the decision, arguing that bail conditions could be reassessed. “The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the appeal, which will be submitted next week. Senior counsel VN Raghupathi has been appointed to represent the police in the Supreme Court,” he said.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Home Minister G Parameshwara said, “I have informed the Home Secretary that if they want to appeal in Darshan’s case, they can go ahead.”

The actor’s release was based on medical records submitted to the HC, which revealed that he suffers from a severe bulging intervertebral disc between the L5 and S1 vertebrae, which poses a risk of stroke if left untreated . Darshan’s legal team had argued for his right to seek treatment at a hospital of his choice, a request that was granted by the court.

Darshan has been in custody since June 11 on charges related to the kidnap and murder of Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga. According to police, the victim was held, tortured in a shed in Pattanagere and later found dead in a Sumanahalli drain. On September 4, investigators filed a lengthy 3,991-page charge sheet detailing the alleged abuse, which reportedly included electric shocks that caused shock and bleeding. Authorities noted that Renukaswamy had used a fake Instagram profile, ‘Gowtham’, to contact Pavithra Gowda, which allegedly led to the incident.

The prosecution alleges that Darshan and several associates retaliated after Renukaswamy sent abusive messages to Gowda, who was reportedly in a long-term relationship with Darshan.

The controversy deepened when Darshan was shifted to Ballari jail after images surfaced showing him receiving preferential treatment in Bengaluru’s Central Jail.

The high court’s decision to grant Darshan bail came with conditions, including a requirement to submit details of treatment within seven days. However, police officials indicate that Darshan is yet to undergo the recommended surgery for his back problems, which could become a focal point in the Supreme Court appeal.

Darshan’s legal team has yet to respond to questions about the upcoming appeal.