The Karnataka High Court on Friday granted bail to Kannada superstar Darshan and his partner Pavithra Gowda in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case.
The bench, headed by Justice Vishwajith Shetty, also granted bail to accused Nagaraju, Anukumar, M. Laxman, Jagadish and Pradoosh Rao.
Senior counsel C. V. Nagesh represented Darshan and the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) P. Prasanna Kumar made submissions for the prosecution.
Gowda's advocate Shilpa said bail was granted to her based on arguments questioning her involvement in the case.
Gowda, presently lodged in the Central Prison of the Parappana Agrahara, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, will be released on Monday.
During arguments on the regular bail plea, C. V. Nagesh had countered the objections raised by the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP), stating that although Renukaswamy's body reportedly had 39 blood stains, there was only one bleeding injury.
Nagesh asserted that at every stage, from recording eyewitness statements to conducting the investigation, the prosecution "lied".
"The bail was granted based on a report by doctors from Ballari. The doctors at BGS Hospital also accepted the Ballari doctors' report, confirming the need for surgery of the actor," he said.
"We must proceed with the operation as recommended by the doctors. It cannot be done on demand after three or four weeks," he argued.
Earlier, Special Public Prosecutor P. Prasanna Kumar submitted to the Karnataka High Court that Darshan was "misusing" the interim bail granted to him on medical grounds.
Submitting his objections to the court for granting the regular bail, Prasanna Kumar said that the interim bail was taken citing urgency and the court was told that he was likely to suffer a stroke.
Prasanna Kumar further said that in the case of Darshan, dramatic situations are created.
Recently, the court had extended Darshan's interim bail on medical grounds.
Darshan was released from prison on October 30 on interim bail after spending 131 days in jail.
Darshan, admitted to the BGS Apollo Hospital in Bengaluru, was being treated for severe back pain.
Darshan, his partner Gowda and 15 others were arrested on June 11 on charges of kidnapping and brutally murdering his fan Renukaswamy from Chitradurga.
Renukaswamy had allegedly sent derogatory and obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda as he was miffed with the actor having a relationship with her despite being married.
Only Tripura tableau from NE to be displayed at R-Day parade
From the eight northeastern states, only the Tripura tableau will be displayed this year during the Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path in New Delhi, officials said on Thursday.
Manipur on alert to prevent infiltrators from B'desh: CM Biren Singh
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Thursday said that the state on its eastern side has been facing illegal infiltration problems from Myanmar, adding an alert is also being maintained in the state's western as well as southern regions to block the illegal entry of people from the neighbouring country.
Foreign cigarettes valued at 3.38 crore seized in Mizoram, one arrested
Foreign cigarettes valued at Rs 3.38 crore were seized from Tuichang bridge areas of Lawngtlai district in Mizoram and one person was arrested in this connection, officials said on Thursday.
Colorful rally of Netaji Subhash Vidyaniketan dazzles in Agartala to mark Netaji’s birthday
Like every year, this year too, the colourful tableaus of Netaji Subhas Vidyaniketan school here at Agartala rolled over the streets of the capital town and captivated all with its dazzling display of culture and heritage.
NCLAT stays CCI ban on WhatsApp, Meta evaluating next steps
Mark Zuckerberg-run Meta on Thursday said it welcomes the decision of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) to stay the ban imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on WhatsApp and will evaluate next steps.
Delhi elections: Parties scale up poll campaign, top leaders to address rallies
With less than a fortnight to go for Delhi Assembly elections, the electioneering is reaching a feversish pitch with top leaders of respective parties hitting the streets to woo the electorate.
I-T raids on leading Tollywood filmmakers continue for third day
The raids were also continuing on the leading production houses Mythri Movie Makers and Mango Media. The department has not yet come out with a statement about the searches but it is believed that it identified a mismatch between the revenues earned by some recent movies and the income tax paid.
One of the greatest sons of Bharat Mata: Prez Murmu pays tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday paid homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 127th birth anniversary, acknowledging his monumental role in India's freedom struggle and his enduring legacy.