'Perverse exercise of judicial power': SC slams Karnataka HC bail to actor Darshan in Renukaswamy murder case

Coming down heavily on the Karnataka HC, the top court called the granting of bail a "perverse exercise of judicial power".

Even last week, the Supreme Court had slammed the HC over the release saying the lower court had failed to exercise discretion.

Single-judge bench of the High Court granted the bail for Darshan to undergo a surgery.

The State had presented Darshan's medical reports from the doctors at Ballari Central Prison as well as the head of the department of neurology at a government hospital in the district.

About the murder case

According to police, the victim had posted an objectionable comment on Kannada actress Pavithra Gowda's Instagram handle accusing her of causing a rift between Thoogudeepa and his wife Vijaya Lakshmi.

This happened after Pavithra posted an Instagram video celebrating his 10-year relationship with Darshan, who has been married to Vijaya Lakshmi for 20 years.

Darshan's aides reportedly carried Renukaswamy in a taxi from Chitradurga to their Bengaluru hideout where they tortured the victim to death.

After allegedly beating to death, Renukaswamy's body was dumped in a stormwater drain at an area which falls under Kamakshipalya Police Station.

Police reportedly got to know from a food delivery man who saw a dog eating the body of the victim.