Bengaluru: Trial in the sensational Renukaswamy murder case, in which Kannada actor Darshan and his friend Pavithra Gowda have been arrested on charges of murder, took an interesting turn Wednesday: one of the prime witnesses turned hostile and claimed he had no idea what transpired at the shed where the crime took place.The development happened during the hearing at 59th city civil and sessions court when Puneeth MJ, employee at Pattanagere shed where Renukaswamy died, testified. Darshan and Pavithra Gowda appeared before the court through video conference from Central Prison, Parappana Agrahara.According to the prosecution, Puneeth turned hostile by telling the court that three men were already there in the shed before he reported for work when the alleged murder took place between 12:30pm and 6:30pm on June 8, 2024. Later, five more persons arrived in a car. Puneeth said he did not know who they were. He also did not recognise the accused who were presented through a video-conference call.He claimed to have left the shed after food for Male Mahadeshwara Hills around 6.30pm. A few other employees, including a security guard, were still at the shed. He said he did not know what happened there.On June 10, Puneeth saw news reports about the murder in the shed. On the same day, cops contacted him and asked him to visit the police station. Later, he went to his hometown near Kanakapura and then to Hassan. He changed his mobile phone and bought a basic handset.Special public prosecutor Prasanna P Kumar told TOI Puneeth was being cross-examined on charges of turning hostile. The court adjourned the hearing until Thursday.Darshan, meanwhile, told the court he was suffering from back pain and requested physiotherapy. His counsel told the court they will file an application Thursday.
