Bengaluru: A city court Monday held that the co-accused in the Renukaswamy murder case cannot object to accused No. 14 Pradosh S Rao’s plea to turn approver at this stage.The order came after several co-accused opposed Pradosh’s application seeking pardon under Section 307 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which provides for tendering pardon to an accomplice.“The court held that the applications filed by the co-accused opposing the approver plea need not be heard at this stage. They can raise their objections after the court considers the approver application. The matter has been adjourned to Tuesday,” special public prosecutor Prasanna P Kumar told TOI.A police officer said that if the sessions court allows Pradosh’s plea to turn approver, the other accused are likely to challenge the order in the high court.Pradosh moved the City Civil and Sessions Court on June 5 seeking pardon, saying he was willing to make a “full and true disclosure” about the murder and the role of the other accused.In his application, Pradosh claimed he witnessed the assault on Renukaswamy and repeatedly tried to stop it. He alleged that accused No. 2, actor Darshan, threatened to shoot himself if Pradosh did not help cover up the crime, leaving him with no choice but to comply out of fear.According to the plea, Pradosh’s role was limited to checking Renukaswamy’s mobile phone and reading messages sent to Darshan’s partner, Pavithra Gowda. He claimed he repeatedly warned the others that the victim could die if the assault continued and arranged food, water and clothes for him.Pradosh said that after learning of Renukaswamy’s death, he advised those who had brought the victim to surrender to police. They allegedly refused and instead discussed ways to dispose of the body and mislead investigators. He claimed the body was later transported in a white Scorpio SUV and dumped near a drain at Sumanahalli Junction.Kamakshipalya police registered the case on June 9, 2024, and later filed a chargesheet against 17 accused, including Darshan, Pavithra Gowda and Pradosh, on charges including murder, kidnapping, extortion, rioting and criminal conspiracy.In his plea, Pradosh expressed remorse over his involvement and said his testimony would be crucial to the prosecution as he was present throughout the incident and witnessed the sequence of events. He sought pardon on the condition that he makes a complete and truthful disclosure before the court.
