Karnataka High Court sets aside trial court order to grant home cooked meals to Renukaswamy murder accused in jail

The Karnataka High Court recently set aside trial court's permission to provide home-cooked meal once a week to Renukaswamy murder case accused Pavithra Gowda and others. [The State of Karnataka v Pavithra Gowda & Ors]

Justice M Nagaprasanna observed the trial court's order was not in accordance with the legal procedure prescribed in the Prisons Act, Karnataka Prisons Act, Karnataka Prisons Rules, and Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Manual.

The Court said the permission to have home food inside the prisons cannot be granted on the basis of vague assertions or statements made in thin air.

"Any extra or special diets for health or medical reasons can be provided to the under trial prisoner only on the advice of the concerned Medical Officer. The Grant of home cooked food should not precede medical advice but medical advice should precede grant of home food," the Court observed.

The State earlier argued that verifying the quality and safety of the food would result in chaos. The Court agreed that granting of such concessions indiscriminately would create chaos within the prison management, as other inmates would also be entitled to similar treatment.

"Home food for under trial prisoners is not prohibited, but it can be granted only in accordance with the procedure prescribed under the Prisons Act, Rules and Manual noted hereinabove," the Court said.

The Court, thus, directed the trial Courts to ensure that prisoners first avail other remedies provided in the Prisons Act, Rules and Manuals.

"The trial Courts are hereinafter directed to ensure that home food is not provided to the under trial prisoners for the mere asking and only provided if required after a detailed medical examination by the concerned Medical Officer. Before passing the order granting or rejecting home food, the trial Courts shall examine if the avenues or remedies provided under the Prisons Act, Rules and Manual, as discussed hereinabove, are exhausted by the prisoner," the Bench said.

The Court also directed the State to take steps to ensure that quality food is provided to the prisoners.

"To safeguard the prisoners rights and ensure transparency, I deem it appropriate to direct digital publication of the prisoners menu at conspicuous places; establishment of a complaint mechanism enabling prisoners to report deficiencies in food quality inter alia ; the medical officer or a designated dietician shall conduct periodic inspection of the food prepared for inmates and record their certification regarding its quality, if not already provided under the law. The State Government shall issue a circular towards the procedure for the purpose of compliance with the directions," the Court ordered.

Additional Special Public Prosecutor BN Jagadeesha appeared for the State.

Special Public Prosecutor P Prasanna Kumar also assisted the Court.

Advocate Sunil Kumar represented some of the respondents.

33-year-old auto-driver Renukaswamy, whose dead body was found on June 9, 2024.

It is alleged that he died owing to injuries sustained in an attack carried out on instructions by Kannada actor Darshan Thogudeepa, after he (Renukaswamy) sent lewd messages to Darshan's partner, Pavithra Gowda.

The police have alleged that Renukaswamy was kidnapped and taken to a workshop where he was brutally assaulted for several hours.

Darshan and his associates allegedly beat Renukaswamy with sticks, pipes, and a belt, causing fatal head and chest injuries. Darshan and Pavithra stayed in constant contact during the crime, the prosecution further claims.

The criminal case in the matter was registered by the Kamakshipalya police station. Pavithra Gowda and Darshan were arrested in June 2024.

In December 2024, the Karnataka High Court granted bail to Pavithra Gowda, Darshan, and five others. However, the Supreme Court cancelled their bail on August 14, 2025, and they were taken back into custody. More recently, on September 3, 2025, the Bengaluru Sessions Court rejected a fresh bail plea filed by Pavithra Gowda.

[Read Order]