The 59th City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru ruled on Monday, 10 August that jailed Kannada actor Darshan and the other accused in the Renukaswamy fan murder case have no standing to oppose the application filed by Accused No. 14, Pradosh, who is seeking to turn approver in the trial. The ruling marks a significant procedural shift that could reshape the prosecution's case against the 17 accused, including Darshan and his associate Pavithra Gowda.

What the Court Ruled

The sessions court made clear that submissions from Darshan and the co-accused on Pradosh's approver application are neither required nor permissible. The bench held that the accused cannot oppose the plea on the ground that granting approver status to Pradosh would adversely affect them.

The court has not yet delivered a final decision on Pradosh's application. It stated that the plea would be considered and decided strictly in accordance with the applicable legal framework. The prosecution has been directed to clarify its stand before the court proceeds further.

Pradosh's Approver Bid and What He Has Offered

Pradosh, currently in judicial custody, approached the court seeking pardon and permission to become an approver. He has expressed willingness to disclose the complete facts and circumstances surrounding the murder of Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old fan of Darshan from Chitradurga.

Pradosh has also filed a separate application seeking permission to participate in court proceedings via video conference from a separate room, noting that he is currently produced virtually from the same room as the other accused — including Darshan — which he argues compromises his position as a prospective approver.

Defence Pushback and Prosecution's Stand

Darshan's counsel had opposed Pradosh's application and sought an opportunity to make submissions against it, arguing that the accused would be directly affected if Pradosh were granted approver status and should therefore have the right to be heard. The court rejected this position.

The Special Public Prosecutor countered that the decision on whether to grant pardon and approver status rests solely with the prosecution and the court. The prosecution further argued that any alleged procedural irregularity could be challenged at an appropriate later stage — not at the present application stage.

Two More Accused Seek Approver Status

The proceedings witnessed a further development: 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 sought consideration of the proposed applications. However, Pradosh's counsel opposed clubbing the new applications with his client's existing plea, arguing that the court should first record Pradosh's statement before the prosecution takes any decision on subsequent applications.

Background: The Renukaswamy Murder Case

The case centres on the alleged abduction and murder of Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old fan of Darshan from Chitradurga. According to the prosecution, Renukaswamy was allegedly abducted and brought to Bengaluru in June 2024, where he was allegedly assaulted at a shed before succumbing to his injuries. His body was subsequently allegedly dumped near a stormwater drain on the outskirts of the city.

Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others have been arrested and charge-sheeted. The Supreme Court had earlier cancelled Darshan's bail and ordered his immediate re-arrest, while also directing that he should not be accorded VIP treatment in prison. The case is currently being tried before the Bengaluru Sessions Court, and the latest procedural ruling suggests the approver track could accelerate the trial's evidentiary phase.