The Karnataka High Court is poised to deliver a significant ruling on Wednesday concerning the interim bail application of renowned actor Darshan Thoogudeepa. Darshan, currently in custody as a suspect in the high-profile Renukaswamy murder case, is seeking temporary release to undergo medical treatment. The court’s decision will determine whether Darshan will be granted the opportunity to access medical care outside prison walls.
The proceedings have centered around the actor’s claim of numbness in both feet, necessitating a surgical intervention at a private hospital in Mysuru. Darshan’s legal representative, senior advocate C V Nagesh, has argued strongly for the request, emphasizing the urgency of the procedure and Darshan’s willingness to finance the entire medical expense. However, the State Public Prosecutor P Prasanna Kumar has opposed the application, citing the lack of specificity regarding the duration of hospitalization required for the surgery in the provided medical documentation.
The court, led by Justice S. Vishwajith Shetty, has acknowledged the Supreme Court precedents that advocate against the State dictating an undertrial’s choice of medical treatment. However, Justice Shetty has expressed reservations about the chosen location for the surgery, questioning, “Why Mysuru? Let a doctor in Bengaluru examine you and provide an assessment of the surgery’s urgency and duration. Interim bail is time-limited, and we need to understand how long you would be hospitalized.”
Nagesh has maintained his preference for the Mysuru facility, while Kumar has suggested that Darshan be evaluated by a state-appointed medical board.
The background of the Renukaswamy murder case involves the alleged murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of Darshan, who is suspected to have sent inappropriate messages to Pavithra Gowda, a co-accused. This incident is believed to have instigated Darshan’s anger and led to the fatal incident. Renukaswamy’s body was discovered near a stormwater drain in Sumanahalli on June 9. It is reported that Raghavendra, a member of Darshan’s fan club, lured Renukaswamy to a shed in R R Nagar under the pretense of a meeting with the actor, where he was subsequently tortured and murdered.
The post-mortem report indicated that Renukaswamy died from shock and haemorrhage due to multiple blunt force injuries. Police investigations have identified Pavithra as the primary instigator behind the murder, alleging that she conspired with others to carry out the crime.
The court’s decision on Wednesday holds significant implications for Darshan’s access to medical treatment and the ongoing investigation into the Renukaswamy murder case. This case continues to capture widespread attention, with public interest focused on the legal proceedings and the potential outcomes.
