Renukaswamy Murder Case: Bengaluru Court Says Darshan, Other Accused Need Not Be Heard on Pradosh’s Approver Plea

August 10, 2026

Bengaluru: In a significant development in the Renukaswamy murder case, a Bengaluru court on Monday ruled that jailed Kannada actor Darshan and the other accused need not be heard on accused No. 14 Pradosh’s application seeking to become an approver.

The 59th City Civil and Sessions Court made it clear that Darshan and the other accused cannot insist on being heard on the plea on the ground that they could be affected if Pradosh is granted pardon and allowed to become an approver.

However, the court has not yet taken a final decision on Pradosh’s application and said it would consider the plea in accordance with the law.

Pradosh Seeks Pardon, Offers to Reveal Details

Pradosh, who is currently in judicial custody, has approached the court seeking pardon and permission to become an approver in the case.

He has expressed his willingness to disclose the complete facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged murder of Renukaswamy.

Darshan’s counsel had opposed the plea and sought an opportunity to make submissions against Pradosh’s application. The defence argued that the accused could be affected if Pradosh was made an approver and, therefore, should have the right to oppose his request.

The Special Public Prosecutor, however, opposed the defence request, maintaining that the decision to grant pardon and make an accused an approver rests with the prosecution and the court.

Two More Accused Seek Approver Status

The proceedings also saw two other accused expressing their intention to seek approver status.

Accused No. 8 Ravishankar and Accused No. 10 Vinay, both currently out on bail, informed the court that they would file separate applications seeking pardon and permission to become approvers.

Their lawyers sought consideration of the proposed applications. However, Pradosh’s counsel opposed clubbing their applications with his client’s plea.

Pradosh’s counsel argued that the court should first record his client’s statement, after which the prosecution could take an appropriate decision on the applications of the other accused.

Pradosh Seeks Separate Video Conference Room

Pradosh has also filed a separate application seeking permission to participate in the proceedings through video conference from a separate room.

At present, he is produced virtually from the same room as the other accused, including Darshan.

The court has directed the prosecution to clarify its stand on the application and said it would take a decision in accordance with the law.

What Is the Renukaswamy Murder Case?

The case relates to the alleged abduction and murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of Darshan from Chitradurga.

Darshan, Pavithra Gowda and 15 others have been arrested and charge-sheeted in connection with the case.

According to the prosecution, Renukaswamy was allegedly abducted and brought to Bengaluru in June 2024. Investigators have alleged that he was assaulted at a shed before succumbing to his injuries. His body was later 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 be given VIP treatment in prison.