Bengaluru, September 2, 2025: In a significant development in the high-profile Renuka Swamy murder case, the 57th Sessions Court in Bengaluru on Tuesday rejected the bail application of prime accused (A1) Pavithra Gowda, who is currently in judicial custody. Pavithra Gowda, a close associate of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, had filed the plea seeking relief, but the court dismissed it after considering arguments from both sides.

The case stems from the brutal murder of Renuka Swamy, a resident of Chitradurga, who was allegedly abducted, tortured, and killed for sending obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda. According to police investigations, Renuka Swamy was kidnapped from Chitradurga, brought to Bengaluru, and subjected to extreme violence in a shed in Pattanagere. The assault, reportedly orchestrated by Darshan and his associates, led to his death, with his body later discovered in a stormwater drain. Pavithra Gowda is named as the primary accused for allegedly instigating the crime.

Pavithra Gowda, who had recently been re-arrested following the Supreme Court’s cancellation of bail granted by the Karnataka High Court, approached the sessions court for bail. Her lawyer, Balan, argued that while not challenging a prior Supreme Court order, there were technical flaws in the chargesheet. He contended that the chargesheet was filed under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) instead of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), rendering it legally invalid. On this basis, he urged the court to grant bail to Pavithra Gowda.

Opposing the plea, prosecution lawyer Sachin raised strong objections, emphasizing the severity of the crime and the evidence against her. He requested the court to deny bail to prevent any interference in the ongoing trial.

After hearing the detailed arguments, the judge dismissed the application, citing the gravity of the offenses and the prima facie evidence of Pavithra Gowda’s involvement. This marks another setback for the accused, following the Supreme Court’s directive in August 2025 to cancel all bails and order immediate arrests. Consequently, Pavithra Gowda has been in custody since August 14, 2025.

The Karnataka High Court had earlier granted bail to all accused, including Darshan and Pavithra Gowda, but the Supreme Court set it aside, criticizing it as a “perverse exercise of power” and stressing that no one is above the law. The top court also warned against providing special treatment to the accused in jail.

The Renuka Swamy murder case continues to unfold, with the trial expected to proceed expeditiously as directed by the Supreme Court. More hearings on related matters are anticipated in the coming weeks.