Darshan Case Takes Dramatic Turn?

In a major development in the Renukaswamy fan murder case involving Kannada superstar Darshan and others, accused No. 14, Pradosh, has moved a city court seeking to be made an approver, expressing his willingness to disclose the truth behind the crime.

Pradosh filed an application before the 59th CCH Court through his advocate on Thursday, stating that he was prepared to reveal all facts related to the case and sought pardon from the court by turning an approver.

In a separate plea, he also requested the court to allow him to appear before the proceedings through video conferencing from a separate room. At present, Pradosh is being produced before the court through video conferencing from the same room along with the other accused persons and actor Darshan.

The development assumes significance as Pradosh's application could have a bearing on the ongoing trial if the court permits him to turn an approver. His statement, if accepted, may provide crucial insights into the alleged sequence of events surrounding the murder of Renukaswamy.

Taking note of the application, the 59th CCH Court directed the prosecution to clarify its stand on Pradosh's plea.

The prosecution is expected to respond before the court during the next hearing. It remains to be seen whether the court will permit Pradosh to become an approver and what disclosures he proposes to make regarding the case.

The murder of Renukaswamy, a fan of actor Darshan, had sparked widespread public attention, with Darshan and several others facing trial in connection with the case. Pradosh's plea marks one of the most significant developments in the proceedings since the commencement of the trial.

Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and 16 others, including his partner Pavithra Gowda, were arrested and indicted for the abduction and brutal murder of 33-year-old fan Renukaswamy in Bengaluru. The Supreme Court cancelled Darshan's bail, ordering his immediate re-arrest and strict legal proceedings without VIP prison privileges.

Renukaswamy, a fan from Chitradurga, was allegedly abducted and brought to Bengaluru in June 2024 over obscene messages allegedly sent by the victim to Pavithra Gowda. The victim was tortured in a shed, suffered severe abuse, and his body was dumped near a stormwater drain after he died.

It can be noted that fans and supporters of jailed Kannada actor Darshan disrupted Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's address at the Sri Chamundeshwari Devi Karaga Mahotsava in Ramanagara by repeatedly raising "D-Boss" slogans, seeking his intervention in the actor's case.

As the sloganeering continued, Shivakumar appealed for calm, saying he understood their emotions but stressed that everything had to be done within the framework of law as the matter was before the court.