Bengaluru, October 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Jailed Kannada actor Darshan suffered a setback in the Renukaswamy murder case after the Supreme Court dismissed a petition challenging the approver status granted to accused No. 14, Pradosh S. Rao.
The Supreme Court upheld the orders of the Karnataka High Court and the trial court, finding no grounds to interfere with the decision to make Pradosh an approver. The Bench also found no merit in the challenge.
The petition was filed by Darshan’s wife, Vijayalakshmi. During the hearing, Darshan’s counsel argued that the prescribed procedure and Supreme Court guidelines had not been properly followed while granting Pradosh approver status.
The apex court, however, rejected the challenge and said Pradosh could be questioned during cross-examination before the trial court. The Bench also declined a request for additional time to advance arguments, observing that it had already examined the relevant material.
The Supreme Court took note of developments in the trial, including the fact that the mother of the deceased, Renukaswamy, had turned hostile. In the circumstances, the court observed that the presence of an approver could be necessary in the case.
The development comes a day after the trial court in Bengaluru completed the recording of Pradosh’s statement as an approver. His statement will form part of the evidence in the ongoing trial, with the defence entitled to test its contents and credibility through cross-examination.
Pradosh was originally arrayed as accused No. 14 in the case. He was subsequently granted approver status by the trial court, a decision that was challenged before the Karnataka High Court and later before the Supreme Court.
With the apex court now dismissing the challenge, Darshan and the other accused will have to contest the evidence involving Pradosh during the trial rather than continue challenging his approver status before higher courts.
The Renukaswamy murder case relates to the death of Renukaswamy, whose body was recovered in Bengaluru in June 2024. Darshan and several others were arrested in connection with the case and are facing trial.
The latest Supreme Court order assumes significance for Darshan’s defence, particularly as Pradosh’s statement has already been recorded before the trial court.
FOLLOW NOW
