The Karnataka High Court has rejected the State's plea to cancel bail for five co-accused in the Renukaswamy murder case. The court ruled that the Supreme Court's prior decision to revoke bail for lead accused actor Darshan Thoogudeepa does not automatically apply to these individuals, as they have not violated bail conditions and deserve equal treatment under the law.
What Happened
The Karnataka High Court has dismissed a petition by the State of Karnataka seeking the cancellation of bail granted to five individuals implicated in the Renukaswamy murder case. The individuals, identified as Puttaswamy, Raghavendra N, Nandeesh, Dhanraj D, and V Vinay, were among those initially granted bail by a trial court in late 2024.
In an order delivered on June 10, 2026, Justice S Rachaiah ruled that the Supreme Court's previous decision to set aside bail for prime accused actor Darshan Thoogudeepa could not be applied as a blanket precedent for the co-accused. The court maintained that the trial court's original decision to grant bail stands, as there were no findings that these individuals had misused their liberty or violated court-imposed conditions.
Legal Reasoning and Equality
A central focus of the High Court's ruling was the principle of equal treatment under the law. Justice Rachaiah explicitly stated that the cases of both celebrities and common citizens must be treated with the same standards to ensure justice.
By distinguishing these five individuals from the high-profile lead accused, the court noted that the factors leading to the Supreme Court's cancellation of bail for the primary accused—such as potential influence and concerns regarding witness tampering—were not inherently applicable to these respondents. The court underscored that mere association with a high-profile case is not sufficient grounds for revoking personal liberty without specific, proven violations of bail terms.
Case Background
The case involves the death of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, whose body was discovered near a storm-water drain in June 2024. Investigations led to a charge sheet against 17 individuals, including actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and actress Pavitra Gowda. The prosecution alleges that the murder was orchestrated following a dispute over messages sent to the actress. While a trial court had initially granted bail to several of the accused in December 2024, the Supreme Court later intervened, cancelling the bail for the lead accused.
Prosecution and Defense Arguments
The State, represented by Special Public Prosecutor Prasanna Kumar P, argued that the five co-accused acted with common intention and highlighted the brutal nature of the injuries detailed in the post-mortem report. The prosecution attempted to draw direct parallels to the Supreme Court’s order, suggesting that the same logic should apply to all involved in the case.
Defense counsel Advocate Ranganath Reddy countered that bail cancellation is a severe measure that requires strong evidence of wrongdoing or conditions violation. He argued that public and media attention surrounding the celebrity involvement should not override the established legal principles governing bail. The defense maintained that his clients had adhered to all court requirements since their release.
What To Watch Next
For those tracking the legal proceedings, the trial remains the next critical phase. The High Court's decision underscores the judiciary's focus on evidence-based bail conditions rather than public profile. Observers will monitor whether the State chooses to appeal this specific High Court order further or how the trial court proceeds with the scheduled hearings for all accused parties.