The 59th City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru is set to pronounce its order on Monday, 10 August on a petition filed by Accused No. 14, Pradosh, seeking to turn approver in the Renukaswamy murder case — the high-profile trial involving Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa. Pradosh, currently in judicial custody, has told the court he is willing to disclose the complete truth about the alleged crime in exchange for a pardon.

What Pradosh's Petition Seeks

Pradosh has approached the court under provisions relating to approvers, stating he is prepared to reveal all facts connected to the alleged murder of Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old fan from Chitradurga. In a separate application, he has also sought permission to participate in court proceedings via video conference from a separate room, as he is currently produced virtually from the same room as other accused — including Darshan Thoogudeepa himself.

How the Prosecution and Defence Have Responded

The petition has drawn sharp opposition from Darshan's legal counsel, who argued that a co-accused does not hold a right to become an approver and that the matter warrants detailed consideration before any such request is accepted. The defence sought additional time to present comprehensive arguments against the plea.

The Special Public Prosecutor, however, opposed the delay, asserting that the decision on granting pardon and approver status lies with the prosecution and the court — not the co-accused's defence. The prosecution also cited a precedent: a prior case in which an accused was made an approver in a murder case involving Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yogesh Gowda, where Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni was among the accused.

Two More Accused Seek Approver Status

A fresh development emerged during the hearing when Accused No. 8, Ravishankar, and Accused No. 10, Vinay — both currently out on bail — informed the court of their intention to file separate applications seeking pardon and approver status. Their counsel requested that these proposed applications be considered alongside Pradosh's petition.

Pradosh's counsel opposed the clubbing of applications, arguing that his client's statement should be recorded first and that the prosecution should only then take a call on the other accused's requests. Judge Sujata Madivalappa Sambrani has directed the prosecution to clarify its position on Pradosh's application.

Background: The Renukaswamy Murder Case

The case has drawn widespread national attention since the arrest and charge-sheeting of Darshan Thoogudeepa, his partner Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others in connection with the alleged abduction and murder of Renukaswamy in June 2024. According to the prosecution, Renukaswamy was allegedly abducted and brought to Bengaluru after allegedly sending obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda. Investigators allege he was assaulted and tortured at a shed before succumbing to his injuries, with his body subsequently dumped near a stormwater drain on the outskirts of the city.

The Supreme Court had earlier cancelled Darshan's bail and ordered his immediate re-arrest, additionally directing that he should not receive any VIP treatment in prison. The trial continues before the Bengaluru Sessions Court, with Monday's ruling on the approver plea marking a potentially significant procedural turn.