Bengaluru, Aug 10 (IANS) The 59th City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru is likely to pronounce its order on Monday on a petition filed by accused No. 14, Pradosh, seeking to turn an approver in the Renukaswamy murder case involving Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa.
Pradosh, who is currently in judicial custody, has approached the court seeking pardon and permission to become an approver, stating that he is willing to disclose the complete truth and all facts related to the alleged murder.
The petition was opposed by Darshan’s counsel, who argued that a co-accused cannot claim a right to become an approver. The defence has maintained that the matter requires detailed consideration before Pradosh’s request can be accepted.
Judge Sujata Madivalappa Sambrani is expected to pass the order on the application.
During the hearing, Darshan’s counsel sought an opportunity to present detailed arguments opposing Pradosh’s petition. However, the Special Public Prosecutor opposed the request, arguing that the decision on whether an accused can be considered for pardon and made an approver rests with the prosecution and the court.
The Special Public Prosecutor submitted that any alleged legal lapse in the process could be challenged at a later stage and that there was no basis to prevent consideration of the application at the present stage.
The prosecution also referred to a previous case in which an accused was made an approver in a murder case involving BJP leader Yogesh Gowda, in which Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni was an accused, to support its position.
The hearing also witnessed a fresh development, with two other accused in the Renukaswamy murder case expressing their intention to seek approver status.
Accused No. 8 Ravishankar and Accused No. 10 Vinay informed the 59th CCH Court that they would file separate applications seeking pardon and permission to turn approvers. Both are currently out on bail.
Their counsel requested that their proposed applications also be considered by the court. However, Pradosh’s counsel opposed clubbing the applications with his client’s petition.
Pradosh’s counsel argued that his client’s statement should first be recorded and that the prosecution should thereafter take an appropriate decision on the applications of the other accused.
Pradosh had earlier filed a petition seeking pardon under the provisions relating to approvers, stating that he was ready to disclose the complete truth about the crime.
In a separate application, he has also sought permission to participate in the proceedings through video conference from a separate room. At present, he is produced virtually from the same room as other accused, including Darshan.
The 59th CCH Court has directed the prosecution to clarify its stand on Pradosh’s application.
The Renukaswamy murder case has attracted widespread attention following the arrest and charge-sheeting of Kannada actor Darshan, his partner Pavithra Gowda and 15 others in connection with the alleged abduction and murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan from Chitradurga.
According to the prosecution, Renukaswamy was allegedly abducted and brought to Bengaluru in June 2024 following alleged obscene messages he had sent to Pavithra Gowda. Investigators have alleged that he was assaulted and tortured at a shed before succumbing to his injuries.
His body was subsequently allegedly dumped near a stormwater drain on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
The case is currently being tried before the Bengaluru Sessions Court. The Supreme Court had earlier cancelled Darshan’s bail and directed his immediate re-arrest, while also ordering that he should not receive any VIP treatment in prison.
–IANS
mka/dpb
