The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea filed by actor Darshan seeking clarification on the cancellation of his bail in a murder case. The bench observed that the actor has been in continuous custody since August 2025, when the apex court had revoked his bail.
Plea for Clarification Dismissed
A vacation bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan declined to consider the plea, stating that the matter had already been decided. The court noted that Darshan's custody was a direct consequence of the earlier order and no further clarification was warranted.
Senior advocate representing Darshan argued that the trial court had misinterpreted the Supreme Court's August 2025 order, leading to the actor's continued detention. He submitted that the bail cancellation was conditional and that Darshan had complied with all conditions imposed.
Background of the Case
Darshan, a prominent Kannada film actor, was arrested in connection with the murder of a fan in 2022. He was initially granted bail by the Karnataka High Court in 2023, but the Supreme Court cancelled the bail in August 2025 following an appeal by the state government.
According to the prosecution, Darshan and his associates were involved in the killing of the fan, who had allegedly sent obscene messages to the actor's partner. The case has drawn widespread media attention due to Darshan's celebrity status.
Supreme Court's Stance
The bench made it clear that it would not revisit the merits of the bail cancellation. "We have already passed an order cancelling the bail. The petitioner is in custody pursuant to that order. There is no ambiguity that requires clarification," the court observed.
The court also noted that Darshan could approach the trial court for regular bail if he so desired. The bench added that the clarification plea was an attempt to circumvent the earlier order.
Darshan has been lodged in Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru since his arrest in 2022, except for the brief period when he was on bail. The trial in the murder case is ongoing.
