In a significant development in the high-profile Renukaswamy murder case, the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday cancelled the bail granted to Kannada film star Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is accused of kidnapping and murdering a fan. The victim, Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old man, was allegedly abducted, brutally assaulted, and murdered by Darshan and his associates in a shocking incident that rocked the Kannada film industry and sent shockwaves across the nation.

A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan passed the order, overturning the Karnataka High Court’s earlier decision to grant the actor bail. Justice Mahadevan noted that the High Court had exercised its judicial power in a “mechanical” and “perverse” manner while granting relief to the actor. “The grant of bail will impact the trial, and witnesses can be influenced,” he observed.

During the hearing, Justice Pardiwala lauded Justice Mahadevan’s order, calling it “erudite” and emphasizing the message it sends. “However big the accused may be, he or she is not above the law,” he said, adding a clear warning against preferential treatment for celebrities in legal matters.

The court also addressed concerns about VIP treatment reportedly being extended to Darshan while in custody. Previously surfaced images showed the actor in a Bengaluru jail casually sipping coffee and holding a cigarette while seated on a chair, raising eyebrows about the laxity in enforcement and potential favoritism.

The Supreme Court’s strong stance highlights the judiciary’s firm message — celebrity status will not shield individuals from the law, and justice must be delivered without bias or privilege.