Supreme Court refuses to interfere with Pradosh being made approver in Renukaswamy murder case
The court dismissed a plea by actor Darshan's wife against the decision to make accused no. 14 Pradosh S. Rao an approver, saying it found no merit in it.
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Kannada actor Darshan has suffered a setback in the Supreme Court in the Renukaswamy murder case. The court dismissed a petition challenging the decision to make Pradosh S. Rao, accused no. 14 in the case, an approver. The decision taken by the Karnataka High Court and the trial court to make Pradosh an approver therefore stands.
A Supreme Court Bench said there was no reason to interfere with the decision. Observing that the petition had no merit, the court dismissed it.
The petition was filed by Darshan's wife, Vijayalakshmi. Darshan's lawyers argued that the prescribed procedure and the Supreme Court's guidelines had not been properly followed in making Pradosh an approver. The Supreme Court did not accept this argument.
The court said the defence would get an opportunity to cross-examine Pradosh during the trial court hearing. The truth and credibility of his statement can therefore be tested through cross-examination.
Meanwhile, Pradosh's statement as an approver was recorded on Wednesday in the trial court in Bengaluru. His testimony will now form part of the evidence in the trial. The defence will be able to cross-examine him at the next hearing.
Pradosh was initially named accused no. 14 in the case. The trial court then allowed him to turn approver. This decision was challenged in the Karnataka High Court, but the High Court also upheld the trial court's decision. The matter then reached the Supreme Court.
During the hearing in the Supreme Court, the court was informed that Renukaswamy's mother had withdrawn from her earlier statement. Against this background, the court noted that the role of an approver could prove important.
The Renukaswamy murder case came to light in June 2024. An investigation began after Renukaswamy's body was found in Bengaluru. Several people, including actor Darshan, were arrested, and all the accused are facing trial.
With the Supreme Court upholding the decision to make Pradosh an approver, his statement has now gained importance in the trial. The defence, however, will retain the right to test the credibility of his testimony.
