Supreme Court to hear plea against Pradosh's approver status in Renukaswamy murder case
Synopsis
The Supreme Court is set to hear a direct challenge to a key prosecution move in one of Karnataka's most-watched criminal trials — the Renukaswamy fan murder case. Pradosh S. Rao, accused No. 14 and close aide of actor Darshan, turned approver in August 2026. Actor Darshan's wife Vijayalakshmi is now asking the apex court to strike down that status, a ruling that could significantly alter the shape of the prosecution's case.
Key Takeaways
The Supreme Court will hear a petition by Vijayalakshmi , wife of jailed actor Darshan Thoogudeepa , on 8 October 2026 .
The petition challenges trial court and Karnataka High Court orders allowing Pradosh S.
14) to become an approver in the Renukaswamy murder case .
Pradosh , a close aide of Darshan, applied for approver status in August 2026 and recorded a statement under oath for nearly three hours .
The Karnataka High Court upheld the Sessions Court's order, noting co-accused retain the right to cross-examine the approver.
Darshan , actress Pavithra Gowda , and 15 others face trial for the alleged abduction, torture, and murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy in June 2024 .
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a petition filed by Vijayalakshmi, wife of jailed Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, challenging trial court and Karnataka High Court orders that allowed accused No. 14, Pradosh S. Rao, to turn approver in the Renukaswamy fan murder case. A Division Bench headed by Justice J.B. Pardiwala is set to take up the matter on Wednesday, 8 October 2026.
Background of the Approver Dispute
Pradosh S. Rao, described as a close aide of actor Darshan, applied to become an approver — effectively a prosecution witness — in August 2026. The trial court accepted the plea, granting him a conditional pardon on the requirement that he make a full and truthful disclosure of the events surrounding the murder.
Pradosh subsequently appeared before the Bengaluru City Civil and Sessions Court and recorded a detailed statement under oath for nearly three hours, reportedly detailing the events at the Pattanagere shed on the night of the murder.
How the Legal Challenge Reached the Supreme Court
Both Darshan and Vijayalakshmi challenged Pradosh's approver status before the Karnataka High Court, which upheld the Sessions Court's order. The High Court noted that co-accused retain the right to cross-examine the approver during trial. Unsatisfied with that ruling, Vijayalakshmi has now escalated the challenge to the Supreme Court, questioning both the original trial court decision and the High Court's order affirming it.
About the Renukaswamy Murder Case
Kannada film star Darshan Thoogudeepa, actress Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others are currently on trial in Bengaluru's City Civil and Sessions Court for the alleged abduction, torture, and murder of Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old pharmacy worker and fan of Darshan, in June 2024. The prosecution alleges the murder took place in Bengaluru. Pradosh is listed as accused No. 14 in the case.
What Is at Stake
The approver mechanism — where an accused is granted a conditional pardon in exchange for full testimony against co-accused — is a significant prosecutorial tool. If the Supreme Court sets aside Pradosh's approver status, his detailed statement could be excluded from evidence, potentially weakening the prosecution's case. Conversely, if the court upholds the status, Pradosh's testimony will stand as a key plank of evidence subject to cross-examination by the defence.
What Happens Next
The Division Bench's hearing on Wednesday will determine whether the challenge merits further examination or whether the lower court proceedings can continue uninterrupted. Legal observers note that any stay granted at this stage could temporarily pause portions of the trial. The outcome of the Supreme Court's decision will be closely watched by all parties involved in what has become one of the most high-profile criminal cases in Karnataka in recent years.
Point of View
As the Karnataka High Court concluded. Any stay here could set a precedent for how courts weigh the prosecution's right to use approvers against co-accused challenges in celebrity criminal trials.
NationPress
7 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Renukaswamy murder case involving actor Darshan?
The Renukaswamy murder case involves the alleged abduction, torture, and murder of Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old pharmacy worker and fan of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, in Bengaluru in June 2024. Darshan, actress Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others are currently on trial at the Bengaluru City Civil and Sessions Court.
Who is Pradosh S. Rao and why does his approver status matter?
Pradosh S. Rao is accused No. 14 in the Renukaswamy murder case and reportedly a close aide of actor Darshan. He applied for and was granted approver status in August 2026, meaning he received a conditional pardon in exchange for providing a full and truthful account of events — making his testimony a potentially crucial element of the prosecution's case.
Why is Vijayalakshmi challenging Pradosh's approver status?
Vijayalakshmi, wife of jailed actor Darshan, argues that the trial court and Karnataka High Court erred in granting Pradosh approver status and allowing his statement to be recorded. If the Supreme Court agrees, Pradosh's detailed testimony could be excluded, potentially weakening the prosecution's case against the accused.
What did the Karnataka High Court rule on this matter?
The Karnataka High Court upheld the Sessions Court's order granting Pradosh approver status, noting that co-accused retain the right to cross-examine him during trial. This ruling was then challenged before the Supreme Court by Vijayalakshmi.
What will the Supreme Court decide and what is the likely impact?
A Division Bench headed by Justice J.B. Pardiwala will hear the petition on 8 October 2026, and could either stay the approver proceedings or allow the trial to continue. If the court strikes down the approver status, Pradosh's oath-recorded statement may be excluded from evidence; if it upholds the status, his testimony stands as a key piece of evidence subject to cross-examination.
