Supreme Court Rejects Darshan’s Wife’s Plea Against Approver in Renukaswamy Murder Case
The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a petition filed by Vijayalakshmi, wife of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, challenging the decision to grant approver status to Pradosh S. Rao, a co-accused in the Renukaswamy murder case. The decision, delivered on October 8, 2026, leaves intact the orders of the trial court and the Karnataka High Court permitting Pradosh to turn approver and testify for the prosecution.
A bench comprising Justice J. B. Pardiwala and Justice Vinod Chandran heard the matter and rejected the challenge to the proceedings that allowed Pradosh, originally accused number 14, to receive a conditional pardon in exchange for making a full and truthful disclosure of the facts relating to the case.
During the hearing, the bench observed that a co-accused does not have an independent right to challenge the decision to grant another accused approver status. The court also clarified that the trial court has the authority to record an approver’s statement as part of the criminal proceedings.
Senior advocate Nagamuthu, appearing for Darshan, questioned the authority of the trial court to record the approver’s statement. However, the bench rejected the argument and maintained that the court conducting the trial has the power to record such testimony in accordance with the law.
Representing the Karnataka government, senior advocate Siddharth Luthra argued that the accused had no right to prevent the recording of the approver’s statement. He also pointed out that Darshan and the other accused would retain the opportunity to cross-examine Pradosh during the trial, allowing the defence to challenge his account and credibility.
Vijayalakshmi’s petition followed the Karnataka High Court’s September 2026 decision upholding the trial court’s order granting Pradosh approver status. The challenge questioned the circumstances in which the pardon was granted and the procedure followed to record his statement. The Supreme Court’s dismissal means that the earlier orders remain in force.
The case concerns the June 2024 murder of Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old pharmacy worker and fan of Darshan, in Bengaluru. Investigators have alleged that Renukaswamy was abducted, assaulted and killed before his body was disposed of. Darshan, actress Pavithra Gowda and several other accused are facing trial in connection with the case. The allegations against the accused remain subject to the ongoing judicial proceedings.
Pradosh’s decision to become an approver is significant because he was originally among those accused in the case. Under criminal procedure, an accused person may receive a conditional pardon in exchange for providing a complete and truthful account of the relevant events. If the conditions are fulfilled, the person may be examined as a prosecution witness.
Pradosh’s statement was recorded before the Bengaluru trial court in October 2026. According to reports, his account includes allegations concerning events at a shed where Renukaswamy was allegedly assaulted. These claims form part of the prosecution evidence and have not, by themselves, established the guilt of the accused.
The Supreme Court’s decision does not determine whether Darshan or any other accused is guilty of the alleged offences. Instead, it concerns the legality of the procedure permitting Pradosh to become an approver and testify for the prosecution. The defence retains the right to question his testimony through cross-examination during the trial.
The ruling allows the prosecution to proceed with Pradosh’s evidence as the case continues before the Bengaluru court. Its eventual impact will depend on how the testimony stands up to cross-examination and how the trial court assesses it alongside the other evidence presented by the prosecution and the defence.
