Why Did the Supreme Court Adjourn the Darshan Bail Hearing?

Bengaluru, July 22 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing regarding the challenge to the bail granted to Kannada actor Darshan until Thursday, July 24. This hearing has become crucial as the Apex Court has voiced its concerns over the decision made by the Karnataka High Court regarding the actor's bail.

A panel of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan decided to adjourn the session after Darshan's lawyer, senior advocate Siddharth Dave, informed the court that senior counsel Kapil Sibal—who was slated to represent the case—was involved in another trial that required his presence. Dave requested a postponement, explaining that he received the case details only on Monday night, making it impossible for him to prepare adequate arguments on such short notice.

Dave emphasized that he would not delve into the reasons behind Darshan's arrest but would concentrate on the case's merits.

Previously, the bench had shared its serious concerns regarding the way the Karnataka High Court exercised its discretion in granting bail to the actor involved in the fan murder case. The court remarked to Kapil Sibal, 'To be very honest, we are not convinced with the manner in which the High Court exercised its discretion. We will very honestly say this.'

The Karnataka government has put forth a petition seeking the annulment of the bail granted to Darshan and others implicated in the case. Senior advocates Siddharth Luthra and Anil C. Nishani are representing the state and articulating their arguments.

Darshan, along with Pavithra and 15 other individuals, was detained on June 11, 2024, under charges of kidnapping and violently murdering Renukaswamy, a fan from Chitradurga.

Reportedly, Renukaswamy had sent disparaging and obscene messages to Pavithra, aggrieved by Darshan's ongoing relationship with her despite his marriage.

Insiders have indicated that Pavithra was in competition with Darshan's wife, Vijayalakshmi, over luxury items like jewelry and cars. She allegedly pressured Darshan to be seen publicly with her following his appearances with his wife. Additionally, Pavithra and Vijayalakshmi engaged in public disputes on social media, leading to a split within Darshan's fanbase.

According to police investigations, Renukaswamy, who supported Vijayalakshmi, had criticized Pavithra, a situation that ultimately resulted in his brutal murder.

Darshan is currently occupied with filming his upcoming project 'Devil' and is said to be in Thailand. Since his release from custody on October 30, 2024, after spending 131 days in jail, he has resumed shooting.

In a significant relief for Darshan, the Karnataka High Court permitted him to travel nationwide on February 28. Previously, he had limitations confining him to Bengaluru and jurisdiction of the sessions court.