Renukaswamy Case: HC Directs Trial Court to Revisit Pradosh Approver Plea

The High Court of Karnataka in Bengaluru on Tuesday remanded the matter back to the trial court to pass a fresh order on an application filed by accused number 14, Pradosh, who is seeking to turn approver in the Renukaswamy murder case. Justice M Nagaprasanna issued the directive after partly allowing a petition challenging the move, filed by actor Darshan Toogudeep Srinivas, who is arraigned as accused number two in the case.

The trial court had earlier allowed the application submitted by Pradosh, granting him approver status. Darshan subsequently challenged the trial court's decision before the High Court, questioning the legal validity of the procedure adopted during the proceedings.

In his petition, Darshan argued that the trial court had sought a report from the Probation Officer regarding Pradosh. The officer had submitted a report stating that Pradosh was an individual of good conduct. Darshan's counsel contended that such an evaluation procedure is not contemplated under the relevant provisions of law.

Darshan also raised objections regarding the necessity of granting approver status, pointing out that the trial court had proceeded to grant the status to Pradosh despite the availability of two eyewitnesses in the murder case.

Partly allowing Darshan's petition, Justice Nagaprasanna instructed the trial court to pass a fresh order after taking into account the observations made in the matter. The High Court specifically clarified that the trial court must decide the application without conducting any fresh hearings.

In his original application seeking approver status, Pradosh had detailed his own role as well as the roles played by other accused persons in the murder of Renukaswamy. Pradosh stated that he was present at the scene of the crime and witnessed the incident, submitting that his testimony would serve as a vital link in establishing the commission of the offence.