Darshan murder case: SC upholds approver status for Pradosh, setback for actor
Synopsis
The Supreme Court has shut the door on Darshan's bid to block key testimony — upholding approver status for Pradosh S. Rao just a day after his statement was formally recorded before the trial court. With Renukaswamy's mother having turned hostile, the prosecution now leans heavily on Pradosh's evidence, and the defence must challenge it in cross-examination with no further recourse to higher courts.
Key Takeaways
The Supreme Court dismissed a petition filed by Vijayalakshmi , wife of jailed actor Darshan , on 8 October 2026 .
The petition challenged the approver status granted to Pradosh S.
Rao , accused number 14 in the Renukaswamy murder case .
The apex court upheld orders of the Karnataka High Court and the trial court, finding no grounds for interference.
Pradosh's statement as an approver was recorded before the Bengaluru trial court on 7 October 2026 , a day before the ruling.
The mother of Renukaswamy had turned hostile during the trial; the SC noted an approver's presence could be necessary in these circumstances.
Darshan's defence must now challenge Pradosh's evidence through cross-examination at the trial level.
Jailed Kannada actor Darshan suffered a significant setback on Thursday, 8 October 2026, in the Renukaswamy murder case after the Supreme Court dismissed a petition challenging the approver status granted to Pradosh S. Rao, the 14th accused in the case. The ruling effectively narrows Darshan's legal options to contest the prosecution's decision to treat Pradosh as an approver, as the trial proceeds in Bengaluru.
What the Supreme Court Decided
The Supreme Court Bench upheld the concurrent orders of the Karnataka High Court and the trial court, declining to interfere with the grant of approver status to Pradosh. The Bench observed that there were no grounds warranting the intervention of the apex court and found no merit in the petition.
The court also reportedly declined a request by the defence for additional time to advance arguments, stating it had already examined the relevant material. The petition was subsequently dismissed, with both the High Court and trial court orders left intact.
Significance of the Timing
The Supreme Court's order carries particular weight given that the recording of Pradosh's statement as an approver before the trial court in Bengaluru was completed on Wednesday, 7 October 2026 — the day before the apex court's dismissal. His statement is now expected to form part of the evidence in the ongoing trial.
Notably, the Supreme Court also took note of a critical development in the proceedings: the mother of the deceased fan Renukaswamy had turned hostile during the trial. In these circumstances, the Bench observed that the presence of an approver could be necessary in the case — a pointed remark that reinforces the prosecution's position.
The Petition and the Challenge
The petition had been filed by Vijayalakshmi, Darshan's wife, challenging the grant of approver status to Pradosh. Counsel appearing for Darshan reportedly contended before the Supreme Court that prescribed procedures and apex court guidelines had not been properly followed when approver status was conferred. The court rejected this argument, telling the defence that Pradosh could instead be subjected to rigorous cross-examination before the trial court.
Background: The Renukaswamy Murder Case
The case relates to the murder of Renukaswamy, a fan of Darshan whose body was recovered in Bengaluru in June 2024. Darshan and several co-accused were arrested in connection with the killing and have been facing trial since. Pradosh S. Rao, originally arrayed as accused number 14, was subsequently granted approver status by the trial court — a decision that was challenged before the Karnataka High Court and then escalated to the Supreme Court.
What Happens Next
With higher-court challenges to Pradosh's approver status now exhausted, Darshan and the other accused will have to contest the evidence at the trial level. The defence retains the right to test the contents and credibility of Pradosh's statement through cross-examination as proceedings continue. The Supreme Court's order is widely viewed as a turning point in the prosecution's case, potentially strengthening its evidentiary position going forward.
Point of View
Especially mid-trial. The timing is damaging for Darshan's defence: Pradosh's statement is already on record, the victim's mother has turned hostile, and every avenue to exclude the approver's testimony has now been closed. The defence's cross-examination strategy will be critical, but contesting a court-vetted approver's account is significantly harder than preventing it from entering the record in the first place. This case is also a reminder that the approver mechanism — often controversial — retains firm judicial sanction when prosecution evidence shows gaps.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Renukaswamy murder case?
The Renukaswamy murder case involves the killing of Renukaswamy, a fan of Kannada actor Darshan, whose body was recovered in Bengaluru in June 2024. Darshan and several co-accused were arrested and are currently facing trial in Bengaluru.
What is an approver in Indian criminal law?
An approver is an accused person who is granted pardon in exchange for turning state's witness and providing evidence against co-accused. In the Renukaswamy case, Pradosh S. Rao, originally the 14th accused, was granted this status by the trial court.
Why did the Supreme Court dismiss Darshan's petition?
The Supreme Court found no merit in the petition and no grounds warranting its intervention, upholding the orders of both the Karnataka High Court and the trial court. The Bench also noted that the defence could cross-examine Pradosh during the trial.
What happens to the Darshan case after this ruling?
Darshan and the other accused can no longer challenge Pradosh's approver status before higher courts. They will have to contest his testimony through cross-examination at the trial court level in Bengaluru as proceedings continue.
Why did the Supreme Court say an approver may be necessary in this case?
The apex court noted that the mother of the deceased fan Renukaswamy had turned hostile during the trial. Given this development, the Bench observed that the presence of an approver could be necessary to sustain the prosecution's case.
