Kannada film actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who faces allegations of murder concerning his fan Renukaswamy, has filed an appeal in the high court. This legal action follows a trial court ruling that permitted his co-defendant, Pradosh S Rao, to become an approver in the case. The accusations stem from Renukaswamy allegedly sending offensive messages to Darshan’s friend and fellow actor, Pavithra Gowda.
In his application to the trial court, Rao provided a detailed account of the supposed kidnapping and murder of Renukaswamy, along with the subsequent disposal of the victim’s remains.
Darshan’s attorney, Hashmath Pasha, contended that the trial court’s verdict was influenced by a report concerning Rao’s background, family situation, and the potential for him to falsely accuse others or provide misleading testimony. Pasha emphasized that reports like these are typically requested under the Probation of Offenders Act, which applies during sentencing rather than at the trial phase or when evaluating an application to become an approver. He urged that the trial court’s decision should be overturned.
Justice M Nagaprasanna, who presided over the case, suggested that his panel would likely annul the trial court’s ruling when an order is issued on Wednesday morning. He also indicated that the trial court would be instructed to reassess Rao’s application and render a new decision within two days.
Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old autorickshaw driver from Chitradurga, was reportedly kidnapped and killed in June 2024, with his body later found in a stormwater drain in Bengaluru. Alongside Darshan and Gowda, a total of 14 individuals were apprehended in connection with the incident. Although the high court initially granted bail to Darshan, this was subsequently revoked by the Supreme Court.
Special Public Prosecutor P Prasanna Kumar noted that the trial court had independently sought the probation officer’s report without a request from the prosecution, but affirmed that the court’s rationale was sound.
On August 25, the trial court permitted Rao to become an approver, allowing for his examination as a witness for the prosecution. A few days later, on August 28, Rao’s attorney urged the court to expedite the recording of his evidence, citing significant pressure faced by Rao. He also maintained that the other defendants should not have the authority to delay Rao’s cross-examination. As a result, the court is expected to record Rao’s testimony on Wednesday.
Furthermore, the trial court denied Darshan’s request to be heard prior to making a decision on Rao’s application. This decision was later challenged by Darshan in the high court, but the appeal was unsuccessful.
