Renukaswamy murder: Actor Darshan’s aides seek pardon to turn approvers before trial court

Two men accused in the Renukaswamy murder case have moved applications before a Bengaluru sessions court seeking pardon under the law so that they can turn approvers and support the prosecution.

The applications have been moved by Vinay V (accused no.10) and Pradosh S Rao @ Pradosh (accused no.14), both considered close associates of Kannada actor Darshan, the prime accused in the case.

The applications were filed on August 5 before the Court of the 58th Additional City Civil and Sessions Court presided over by Judge Sujata Madivalappa Sambrani.

The court has reserved its orders on the applicants' right of audience and posted the matter for orders on August 10, 2026.

In their applications, the accused state that they are willing to make a "full and true disclosure" of all facts within their knowledge concerning the offence and the role of every person involved. They contend that their testimony would substantially assist the prosecution in establishing the case.

In his application, Pradosh has claimed that he repeatedly tried to stop Darshan and others accused in the Renukaswamy murder case.

33-year-old Renukaswamy's dead body was found on June 9, 2024. He is said to have been attacked after he allegedly sent lewd messages to actor Darshan's partner, Pavithra Gowda, who is also an accused in the murder case.

Darshan is presently in prison and the murder trial against him is pending.

One of the other accused, Pradosh has now submitted that he was present throughout the incident and possesses firsthand knowledge of the events leading to Renukaswamy's death and the alleged attempts to conceal the crime.

Pradosh has sought to distance himself from the actual assault, contending that the prosecution material itself shows that his role was limited. He claims he repeatedly attempted to prevent the assault and even warned that Renukaswamy might die if the beating continued.

According to the application, he merely read messages from Renukaswamy's mobile phone at Darshan's direction. He allegedly requested the co-accused to stop assaulting Renukaswamy. He claims that he provided food, water and clothes to the victim. He also claims that he pushed Darshan away when he stood on Renukaswamy's chest and pleaded with him not to continue the assault. 

Pradosh further states that he learnt from Darshan's driver Lakshman that Renukaswamy had died after the assault. According to the application, he immediately informed Darshan, who allegedly became shocked and frightened.

The plea alleges that Darshan then threatened to kill himself with a gun unless Pradosh helped manage the situation.

The application goes on to narrate the alleged efforts to dispose of Renukswamy’s body, and arrange the surrender of certain accused before police. The plea also details alleged efforts made to identify a location where the body could be abandoned, and to distribute cash to facilitate the plan.

It alleges that Darshan handed over ₹5 lakh to one Nagaraj and ₹10 lakh to Vinay before directing that certain persons surrender.

Pradosh states that he is deeply repentant about his role in the events and has voluntarily approached the court seeking a pardon.