The Supreme Court on Friday (May 15, 2026) expressed disappointment over the “slow” pace of the trial in the 2024 Renukaswamy murder case involving Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, and granted him liberty to renew his plea for bail if there is no “substantial progress” in the case within a year.

A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Vijay Bishnoi observed that the status report submitted by the trial court in Bengaluru revealed that the prosecution had examined only 10 witnesses over the past seven months, despite proposing to examine nearly 150 witnesses.

“We are of the view that the progress of the trial is extremely slow. At this pace, it is likely to take a considerable amount of time before even the 60 material witnesses are examined. If there is no substantial progress in the trial within one year, it shall be open to the petitioner to once again seek bail before the trial court,” the Bench observed.

The top court was hearing Mr. Darshan’s plea, contending that the trial was likely to be prolonged and that his continued incarceration would irreversibly affect his livelihood and fundamental right to practise his profession. He also alleged discriminatory treatment in custody, claiming he had been denied basic amenities in violation of prison rules.

No adjournments on ‘filmsy grounds’

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Mr. Darshan, submitted that there was little prospect of the trial concluding in the near future and alleged that the actor had been confined to an isolated quarantine cell for the past eight months.

“My bail was cancelled in August. We are now in May. Only 10 witnesses have been examined, while 150 more remain to be examined. I have been kept in a quarantine cell, which is effectively an isolated cell, for the last eight months,” he submitted.

However, senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the State of Karnataka, denied the allegation that Mr. Darshan was being kept in a quarantine cell and submitted that the State intended to complete the examination of 60 vital witnesses within a year. He further apprised the court that the actor was being provided all basic amenities available to any other undertrial prisoner.

Taking the submissions into consideration, the Bench directed the trial court to ensure that witnesses are examined regularly and that the proceedings are not adjourned on “flimsy grounds”. It observed that, if necessary, the trial court may conduct day-to-day hearings for the examination of witnesses.

“We would like to observe the progress of the trial for a further period of one year. At the end of one year from today, if there is no substantial progress in the trial, we may look into the matter accordingly. We also expect the defence to cooperate with the conduct of the trial and ensure that witnesses are examined regularly and as expeditiously as possible,” the Bench said.

Darshan, an enigmatic star who lost his sheen

Basic amenities plea

The top court also directed prison authorities to ensure that the actor is provided with all basic amenities to which any other undertrial prisoner is entitled in accordance with the jail manual.

“We are not touching the issue of quarantine. It is not necessary that he be kept all alone; you can directly speak to the authorities. What we had conveyed earlier was that there should not be any special treatment. You were caught red-handed, and we did not appreciate it”, the Bench remarked.

In August last year, the top court had cancelled the bail granted to Mr. Darshan and the co-accused after taking note of concerns raised by the Karnataka government that the actor was attempting to influence witnesses and had received favourable treatment owing to his “celebrity status”. The court had also cautioned jail authorities against extending any special privileges to him.

On Friday, Mr. Rohatgi further apprised the Bench that the judge presently conducting the trial was only holding an additional charge, as the regular presiding officer’s post had remained vacant for the past six months.

“He is saying that he cannot devote more than two days a week to the trial,” Mr. Rohatgi said.

The Bench accordingly directed the Karnataka High Court to look into the issue on its administrative side at the earliest.

“We are further informed that the presiding officer of the trial court is holding an additional charge because the regular court is vacant. The High Court shall look into it on the administrative side at the earliest,” the Bench recorded in its order.

Mr. Darshan, along with actor Pavithra Gowda and several others, is accused of abducting and torturing 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan who had allegedly sent obscene messages to Ms. Gowda. According to the police, the victim was held in a shed in Bengaluru for three days in June 2024, subjected to torture, and his body was later recovered from a drain. 

The actor was arrested on June 11, 2024, in connection with the alleged killing. He was initially lodged at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru, but was later transferred to Ballari Central Jail after allegations of preferential treatment in custody sparked controversy. 

While cancelling the bail granted to the actor last year, the top court had observed that the Karnataka High Court’s December 13, 2024, order failed to adequately consider “vital aspects” highlighted by the State, including Mr. Darshan’s considerable social and political clout.