Renukaswamy murder: Bengaluru court pardons accused Pradosh Rao, makes him approver

A Bengaluru court on August 25 granted pardon to Pradosh S Rao, an accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, and admitted him as an approver in the case.

Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa is the prime accused in the case.

The order was passed by LVIII Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge Sujata Sambrani, who allowed the application filed by Pradosh under Section 307 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) which confers power on court to direct a tender of pardon to a person accused of a crime.

The Court allowed Rao's application subject to three conditions.

First, Pradhosh would have to make full and true disclosure of the entire circumstances relating to the offences. Second, he would have to remain in custody until the trial concludes, and last, if the court finds concealment or false evidence adduced by him, his status would be reverted to that of an accused.

The development assumes significance as Pradosh's testimony as an approver could potentially provide the prosecution with an insider account of the circumstances surrounding the murder of Renukaswamy.

The order was passed days after the Karnataka High Court on August 13 rejected actor Darshan's plea seeking a right of audience to oppose Pradosh's application to turn approver.

The development is likely to have significant implications for the prosecution's case against the accused, including Darshan.

33-year-old Renukaswamy's dead body was found on June 9, 2024. He is said to have been attacked and beaten to death after he allegedly sent lewd messages to Darshan's partner, Pavithra Gowda.

Darshan allegedly called upon his fans to accost Renukaswamy for making derogatory comments against Gowda on social media.

Darshan and his associates then allegedly beat Renukaswamy with sticks, pipes, and a belt, causing fatal head and chest injuries, leading to his death. The prosecution has claimed that Darshan and Pavithra were in constant contact during the crime.

Last week, the Karnataka High Court rejected a petition by the State to cross-examine its own witness, Renukaswamy's mother after she made trivial inconsistencies, stray answers or insignificant omissions in her witness account.