Darshan challenges Karnataka HC over Pradosh's approver status in Renukaswamy murder case
Synopsis
Jailed Kannada actor Darshan has challenged the Karnataka High Court's lower court decision to grant co-accused Pradosh approver status in the Renukaswamy fan murder case — a move that, if it fails, could hand the prosecution its most powerful insider witness yet, with Pradosh's conditional pardon already granted on 25 August.
Key Takeaways
Darshan has filed an appeal petition in the Karnataka High Court challenging approver status granted to co-accused Pradosh (accused No.
The 59th City Civil and Sessions Court, Bengaluru , granted Pradosh conditional pardon on 25 August and issued summons for recording his statement.
Both the Karnataka High Court and the trial court have held that co-accused have no legal right to oppose pardon proceedings at this stage.
The case involves the June 2024 abduction, torture, and murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy of Chitradurga , whose body was found near a stormwater drain in Bengaluru .
Pradosh's expected testimony on the sequence of events and disposal of evidence is considered a major boost for the prosecution.
Kannada actor Darshan, currently lodged in jail in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case, has moved the Karnataka High Court challenging a trial court's decision to grant accused No. 14, Pradosh, approver status in the high-profile fan murder case. The petition was listed for hearing on Tuesday, 1 September.
What Darshan Has Argued
In his appeal petition, Darshan has questioned both the legal basis and the procedural validity of the trial court's order permitting Pradosh to turn approver. He has sought a stay on the trial court's decision, arguing that the order warrants scrutiny on technical and procedural grounds.
The Karnataka High Court and the trial court have, however, already ruled that co-accused persons have no legal right to participate in or oppose pardon proceedings. According to both courts, a co-accused's right arises only at the stage of cross-examination, once the approver's testimony has been formally recorded.
The Trial Court's Decision on Pradosh
The 59th City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru officially accepted Pradosh's petition to become an approver and granted him conditional pardon on 25 August. The court has since issued summons to Pradosh for recording his statement as a prosecution witness.
Pradosh's expected testimony — covering the sequence of events, disposal of evidence, and the alleged roles of co-accused — is widely seen as a significant strategic gain for the prosecution in this case.
Background: The Renukaswamy Murder Case
The case centres on the June 2024 abduction, torture, and murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga, whose body was discovered near a stormwater drain in Bengaluru. According to investigators, the alleged trigger was offensive messages Renukaswamy had reportedly sent to actress Pavithra Gowda.
Darshan and several others were subsequently arrested and charged in connection with the killing. The case has attracted sustained public and media attention given Darshan's prominent standing in the Kannada film industry.
What Comes Next
With the Karnataka High Court set to hear Darshan's petition, the outcome will determine whether Pradosh's approver status — and the conditional pardon granted to him — can be legally challenged by a co-accused at this stage of the trial. Legal observers note that if the High Court upholds the lower court's position, Pradosh's insider account could prove pivotal when the trial reaches the evidence stage.
Point of View
But it faces a steep climb: both the trial court and the High Court have already ruled that co-accused have no standing to oppose pardon proceedings. The more consequential question is what Pradosh's insider testimony will reveal once it is recorded — on the sequence of events, disposal of evidence, and the alleged chain of command. In high-profile cases involving public figures, approver testimony has historically been the pivot around which convictions turn. The Kannada film industry, already watching this case closely, now faces the prospect of that testimony becoming part of the public trial record.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Darshan challenged Pradosh's approver status?
Darshan has challenged the trial court's decision on legal and procedural grounds, arguing that the order granting Pradosh approver status requires scrutiny. He has sought a stay on the decision through an appeal petition filed in the Karnataka High Court.
What is an approver in Indian criminal law?
An approver is a co-accused who is granted a conditional pardon in exchange for turning prosecution witness and fully disclosing their knowledge of the crime. Their testimony can be used against other accused persons during trial.
When did the trial court grant Pradosh conditional pardon?
The 59th City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru granted Pradosh conditional pardon on 25 August and subsequently issued summons for recording his statement as a witness.
Can a co-accused legally oppose pardon proceedings?
According to rulings by both the Karnataka High Court and the trial court, a co-accused has no legal right to participate in or oppose pardon proceedings. That right arises only at the cross-examination stage, once the approver's testimony has been formally recorded.
What is the Renukaswamy murder case about?
The case involves the June 2024 abduction, torture, and murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy from Chitradurga, whose body was found near a stormwater drain in Bengaluru. Kannada actor Darshan and several others were arrested and charged in connection with the killing.
