In a significant development in the Renukaswamy murder case involving actor Darshan and others, three accused have approached the Sessions Court seeking approver status, a move that could potentially strengthen the prosecution’s case.
Accused No. 14, Pradosh, was the first to move the court, seeking pardon under the law in return for making a full and truthful disclosure of the circumstances surrounding the murder. Soon after, accused Nos. 8 and 10 — Ravi Shankar and Vinay — also filed applications seeking approver status.
Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Prasanna Kumar has given his consent to Pradosh’s request by submitting a memo before the 59th Sessions Court. The prosecution said Pradosh would be granted approver status subject to certain conditions, including making a full and truthful disclosure of the role of every accused in the case.
During the hearing, senior advocate Divakar, appearing for Pradosh, argued that his client’s application should be considered independently and not be clubbed with those filed later by Ravi Shankar and Vinay. He contended that the prosecution alone has the authority to decide who should be made an approver.
Appearing for Vinay, advocate Ranganath Reddy argued that merely because an accused files an application seeking pardon, the prosecution should not automatically accept it. He said the decision on selecting an approver rests solely with the prosecution after examining the circumstances.
Darshan’s counsel, Hashmath Pasha, strongly opposed the prosecution’s move to grant approver status to Pradosh. He argued that the defence had not been informed about the filing of the application during the previous hearing and sought a copy of the plea. He further contended that pardon cannot be granted immediately upon an accused seeking it and insisted that the accused’s statement must first be recorded before the prosecution extends its consent. The defence argued that an approver should aid the cause of justice rather than merely strengthen the prosecution’s case.
Countering these submissions, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Prasanna Kumar argued that the remaining accused have no legal right to object to an application seeking approver status. He submitted that while the remaining accused may challenge the procedure adopted by the prosecution and the court, they cannot object to the prosecution’s decision to consider an accused for approver status. The SPP also informed the court that the prosecution’s consent had been given after considering Pradosh’s statement.
During his arguments, the prosecutor relied on a High Court order relating to Basavaraj Muttagi, who turned approver in the Yogesh Gowda murder case. He argued that courts must evaluate whether the accused seeking pardon is the principal offender or someone with a comparatively lesser role before deciding on the application.
Pradosh has also filed a separate plea requesting prison authorities to keep him away from Darshan and the other accused during judicial custody. He told the court that he feared pressure and possible intimidation if housed in the same prison barrack and sought to be lodged in a separate cell. He also requested to be produced before the court separately during future hearings.
According to the prosecution’s chargesheet, Pradosh allegedly received Rs 30 lakh from Darshan and played a key role in arranging for other accused to surrender. Investigators alleged that he was present at the Pattanagere shed where the victim was allegedly confined, informed Darshan about Renukaswamy’s death, brought actor Pavithra Gowda (an accused) to the shed, actively participated in the alleged conspiracy, and now faces charges of murder, destruction of evidence and joint criminal liability.
Investigators have also alleged that Pradosh was present at the crime scene and had asked Darshan to stop the assault on Renukaswamy. If accepted as an approver, his testimony could prove crucial, as he is considered both an eyewitness and an insider to the alleged conspiracy.
The 59th Sessions Court heard detailed arguments from all sides on Pradosh’s application and reserved its order until August 10. The court will also decide on the objections raised by the other accused regarding the prosecution’s decision. The matter has been posted for further hearing on Monday.
The move by three accused to seek approver status marks a significant twist in the high-profile murder case. If one or more of them are ultimately granted pardon and testify before the trial court, their evidence could play a key role in the prosecution’s case against Darshan and the other accused. However, the final decision on granting approver status rests with the Sessions Court after considering the prosecution’s recommendation and the legal requirements under the Code of Criminal Procedure.
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Published By:
Nitish Singh
Published On:
Aug 7, 2026 01:46 IST
