Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Bengaluru court to decide Pradosh's approver plea in Darshan case
A famous movie actor in India is in trouble with the police.
His name is Darshan, and he acts in Kannada-language movies.
Police say Darshan and some other people hurt a man named Renukaswamy.
Renukaswamy was a big fan of Darshan, but he sent rude messages to Darshan's girlfriend.
The man got very badly hurt and died.
Now, a judge in the city of Bengaluru is deciding what should happen.
One of the accused people, Pradosh, wants to tell the court everything he knows.
If he does, the court might forgive him for his part in the crime.
Darshan's lawyer does not want Pradosh to get this deal.
Two other accused people also want to tell everything.
Soon the judge will make a decision.
The 59th City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru is expected to rule Monday on accused No. 14 Pradosh's plea to become an approver in the Renukaswamy murder case.
Pradosh, in judicial custody, says he is willing to disclose the complete truth; Darshan's counsel opposed the plea, arguing a co-accused cannot claim a right to become an approver.
Accused No. 8 Ravishankar and No. 10 Vinay, both out on bail, told the court they will file separate applications seeking approver status, while Pradosh's counsel opposed clubbing the applications.
Prosecutors allege Renukaswamy, 33, a fan from Chitradurga, was abducted and brought to Bengaluru in June 2024 after sending obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda, then assaulted at a shed before his body was dumped near a stormwater drain.
The Supreme Court had earlier cancelled Darshan's bail, ordered his immediate re-arrest, and directed that he receive no VIP treatment in prison.
- Who
- Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, his partner Pavithra Gowda and 15 others are accused in the case; accused No. 14 Pradosh is seeking approver status; the victim is 33-year-old Renukaswamy.
- What
- A court hearing on Pradosh's plea to be pardoned and made an approver, with two other accused also seeking the same status.
- When
- The order is expected on Monday; the alleged murder occurred in June 2024.
- Where
- The 59th City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru; the alleged crime took place in Bengaluru and the victim was from Chitradurga.
- Why
- Pradosh says he is willing to disclose the complete truth about the alleged murder in exchange for pardon.
Defence (Darshan's counsel)
Prosecution and co-accused
Right to become an approver
Defence (Darshan's counsel)
A co-accused cannot claim a right to become an approver; the matter requires detailed consideration before Pradosh's request can be accepted.
Prosecution and co-accused
The decision on pardon and approver status rests with the prosecution and the court; there is no basis to prevent consideration of the application at this stage.
Timing of plea consideration
Defence (Darshan's counsel)
Darshan's counsel sought an opportunity to present detailed arguments opposing Pradosh's petition before any decision is made.
Prosecution and co-accused
Any alleged legal lapse in the process can be challenged at a later stage, so the application should be considered now.
Clubbing approver applications
Defence (Darshan's counsel)
Pradosh's counsel argued his client's statement should first be recorded, with the prosecution deciding later on the other accused's applications.
Prosecution and co-accused
Counsel for Ravishankar and Vinay asked that their proposed applications also be considered by the court alongside Pradosh's.
- Case
- Renukaswamy murder case
- Court
- 59th City Civil and Sessions Court, Bengaluru
- Presiding Judge
- Sujata Madivalappa Sambrani
- Victim
- Renukaswamy, 33, from Chitradurga
- Accused
- Darshan Thoogudeepa, Pavithra Gowda and 15 others
- Seeking approver status
- Pradosh (No. 14), plus Ravishankar (No. 8) and Vinay (No. 10)
- Alleged incident
- June 2024, Bengaluru
- Prior ruling
- Supreme Court cancelled Darshan's bail and ordered no VIP treatment in prison