The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, dismissed a writ petition filed by Vijayalakshmi, wife of actor Darshan, challenging a trial court order that permitted Pradosh Rao, the 14th accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, to turn approver. The court found no grounds to interfere with the lower court's decision.

High Court's Ruling

A bench headed by Justice V. Srishananda upheld the order passed by the 59th City Civil and Sessions Court (CCH), which had earlier allowed Pradosh to become an approver. The judge noted that the defence would retain the right to question Pradosh during cross-examination, and therefore no exceptional circumstances warranted overturning the trial court's decision.

The bench also addressed Vijayalakshmi's contention regarding Pradosh communicating over the phone about his intention to turn approver. Justice Srishananda remarked: 'If I speak over the phone saying that I will become an approver, what is wrong with that? If a husband asks his wife for her opinion, what is wrong with that? If there is evidence of someone else instigating him, that is a different matter.'

Arguments From Both Sides

Senior Advocate K. Diwakar, appearing for Pradosh, argued that Darshan's legal team had been repeatedly raising objections since the approver application was filed, allegedly in an attempt to delay proceedings. He submitted that Pradosh had spoken over the phone strictly within the bounds permitted by the prison manual.

Senior Advocate Hashmat Pasha, appearing for Darshan, contended that the 10th accused, Vinay, had also filed a separate application to become an approver, but that application had not been considered while Pradosh's was accepted. The judge responded that it was for Vinay to raise that issue independently, and that Darshan's counsel had no standing to argue on his behalf.

Background: The Renukaswamy Murder Case

Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga, was allegedly abducted and brought to a shed in Bengaluru's Patanagere locality in June 2024, reportedly after he allegedly sent obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda, an associate of Darshan, on Instagram. He was allegedly assaulted and killed at the shed.

Police subsequently arrested 17 accused persons, including Darshan and Pavithra Gowda, in connection with the case. Pradosh faces specific allegations of helping destroy evidence and facilitating financial transactions linked to the crime.

Pradosh's Approver Application

Pradosh had approached the court seeking permission to become an approver, stating that he was willing to disclose the complete truth about the case. The CCH court accepted his application, after which Vijayalakshmi challenged that decision before the High Court through a writ petition — a challenge the High Court has now dismissed.

With the Karnataka High Court's order standing, the trial is expected to proceed with Pradosh as an approver, potentially offering prosecutors a key witness account from within the accused group.