Kannada actor Darshan was arrested by Bengaluru Police on Thursday, hours after the Supreme Court cancelled his bail in connection with the murder of his fan, Renukaswamy. The apex court said his celebrity status could not shield him from the law.
Darshan reached his wife’s residence in Bengaluru’s Hosakerehalli on Thursday afternoon. He entered the complex through an alternate gate in a car he does not usually use.
Police sources said he met his wife and son before officers were informed of his presence. A police team arrived at the spot and took him into custody.
Bengaluru, Karnataka: After the arrest in Renukaswamy murder case, actor Darshan is being taken to Annapurneshwari Nagar Police Station pic.twitter.com/7ZWTmv6DOE
— IANS (@ians_india) August 14, 2025
Darshan was taken to the Annapoorneshwari police station. After formalities and a medical check-up, police will produce him before a court and send him back to jail.
Supreme Court Cancels Bail
Earlier in the day, a Supreme Court bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan cancelled the bail granted to Darshan by the Karnataka High Court in December last year.
The bench ordered that he be taken into custody immediately. It said Darshan could influence witnesses and affect the trial if he remained out on bail.
ALSO READ: Why Supreme Court Cancelled Darshan’s Bail and Criticised Karnataka HC Order?
The judges came down heavily on the High Court, saying it committed “manifest perversity” by considering Darshan’s celebrity status while granting bail.
“Popularity cannot be a shield for impunity. Influence, resources and social status cannot form a basis for granting bail where there is a genuine risk of prejudice to the investigation or trial,” the court observed.
Pavithra Gowda Also Arrested
The bail of Darshan’s alleged partner and co-accused, Pavithra Gowda, was also cancelled. Police arrested her from her residence soon after the order.
Both face serious charges in the brutal killing of 33-year-old Renukaswamy in June last year.
According to the chargesheet, Renukaswamy was abducted from Chitradurga by Darshan and his aides. They allegedly tortured him in a shed in Bengaluru after he sent obscene messages to Ms Gowda.
The chargesheet detailed horrific acts of violence. It stated that Renukaswamy was given electric shocks to his private parts, causing severe damage to one of his testicles.
“After being assaulted by Darshan and his gang, Renukaswamy’s chest bones were broken. There are a total of 39 injury marks all over his body. There is also a deep cut on the victim’s head,” the chargesheet said.
Police said Renukaswamy died from the injuries inflicted during the assault. His body was later dumped in a drain.The brutality of the murder sent shockwaves across Karnataka, sparking public outrage and intense media coverage.
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