Renukaswamy Murder Case: Darshan, Wife Vijayalakshmi Move Supreme Court Over Pradosh’s Approver Status

Three matters concerning the case are before the apex court. Darshan has filed two petitions challenging Karnataka High Court orders connected with Pradosh's status as an approver.

One of Darshan's challenges relates to the High Court's refusal to entertain his objection to Pradosh being made an approver, while another challenges the order upholding the decision to grant Pradosh the status.

Darshan's legal team has questioned the procedure followed in granting the co-accused approver status. The actor has argued that the statement of an accused is not required to be heard before a decision is taken on an application seeking approver status.

The Karnataka High Court had earlier upheld the order granting Pradosh approver status, following which Darshan's legal team moved the Supreme Court.

Senior advocate Hashmat Pasha, who is representing Darshan, confirmed that a Special Leave Petition (SLP) has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking to challenge Pradosh's status and stay proceedings relating to his statement.

“We had approached the trial court challenging Pradosh being made an approver. However, as the trial court did not accept our plea, we have filed an SLP before the Supreme Court,” Pasha said.

The petitions are expected to come up for consideration before the Supreme Court this week.

The development comes as the trial court continues recording the statement of Pradosh, who has turned approver and is now a prosecution witness in the case. His statement is being relied upon by the prosecution in connection with the alleged sequence of events surrounding Renukaswamy's death.

Pradosh's statement was recorded for nearly three hours before the trial court on Monday, with the proceedings conducted in-camera. The court subsequently adjourned the matter to Tuesday for the continuation of the recording.

The Renukaswamy murder case relates to the alleged killing of 35-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of Darshan, in Bengaluru in June 2024. According to the prosecution, Renukaswamy was allegedly abducted and assaulted before being killed, after which his body was recovered from the Kamakshipalya area.

Darshan, along with several other accused, was arrested in connection with the case and is facing trial. The prosecution has alleged that Renukaswamy was targeted after allegedly sending vulgar messages to Pavithra Gowda, who has been described as Darshan's partner.

The Supreme Court proceedings over Pradosh's approver status now come as the trial court continues with the recording of evidence in the high-profile case.