Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, May 15: In a significant development in the high-profile Renukaswamy murder case, the Supreme Court of India on Friday declined to grant interim bail to Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, while directing the trial court to complete proceedings within one year.
A division bench led by Justice J B Pardiwala ordered that the trial be taken up on a priority basis from now onwards, noting the slow pace of proceedings in the sensational case. The court also directed prison authorities to ensure that Darshan is provided with the same basic facilities available to all other inmates in jail.
In a stern observation, the bench said the actor should refrain from filing any fresh bail petition for the next one year. However, it clarified that if the trial is not concluded within the stipulated timeframe, his bail plea could be reconsidered thereafter.
The actor had approached the apex court seeking interim bail on the grounds of prolonged delay in the trial. His legal team argued that only 10 of the 270 listed witnesses had been examined so far, despite the case having progressed substantially. Darshan had requested temporary relief until the examination of the remaining witnesses was completed.
During earlier hearings, counsel for Darshan had also alleged irregularities inside the prison, claiming that the actor was facing threats, intimidation and harassment from fellow inmates. Following these submissions, the Supreme Court had sought a detailed report from prison authorities.
Opposing the plea, the Special Public Prosecutor informed the bench that the prison department’s report contained video evidence which contradicted the allegations levelled by the actor regarding his treatment in custody.
After perusing the detailed report and hearing arguments from both sides, the Supreme Court pronounced its order rejecting the interim bail plea while simultaneously pushing for an expedited trial in the case that has drawn widespread public and media attention across Karnataka.