Bengaluru’s 57th Sessions Court has dismissed Pavitra Gowda’s bail application in the high-profile Renukaswamy murder case.
The 57th Sessions Court in Bengaluru on Tuesday rejected the bail petition of Pavithra Gowda, partner of actor Darshan and the main accused in the Renukaswamy murder case.
Gowda had sought bail on technical grounds. Her counsel argued that the chargesheet was filed under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) instead of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which came into effect in June last year, claiming this made the chargesheet invalid.
The prosecution countered that offences occurring before the implementation of BNS and BNSS would still be investigated under the IPC and CrPC and accused the defence of attempting to mislead the court. The prosecution also referenced Supreme Court observations noting that bail pleas for Gowda and other accused had already been denied. The court dismissed her petition, expressing displeasure over the arguments presented in her favour.
Meanwhile, the court will consider a petition from prison authorities seeking permission to transfer actor Darshan from Bengaluru Central Jail to Ballari Prison, along with other accused – Jagadish, Laxman, Nagaraj, and Pradosh – to different jails. Darshan’s counsel has separately requested that he be provided two bedsheets and two pillows due to back pain.
Earlier, the Supreme Court overturned the Karnataka High Court’s decision granting Darshan bail, citing misuse of judicial power. The court noted that the High Court acted as if deciding conviction rather than bail.
On June 9, 2024, 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of Darshan, was found dead on a Bengaluru flyover. Reports allege he was kidnapped and killed at Darshan’s behest for allegedly harassing Pavithra Gowda, a female friend of the actor.
On August 6, both Darshan and Gowda petitioned the Supreme Court to retain their bail, with Darshan claiming no evidence links him to the crime and Gowda citing her responsibilities as a single mother and caregiver to elderly parents.
