Bengaluru: Fresh details have emerged in the sensational Renukaswamy murder case involving Kannada actor Darshan, after accused No. 14 Pradosh submitted an application seeking approver status before the court.
The application, which has been accessed by India Today, contains detailed allegations about the alleged assault on Renukaswamy, the events preceding and following his death, and an alleged attempt to create an alternative account of the crime.
Pradosh has told the court that he is willing to make a “full and true disclosure” of the facts within his knowledge and the alleged roles played by the other accused. If his plea is accepted, he could receive a pardon under the applicable legal provisions in return for providing a complete and truthful account.
The allegations contained in the application are part of Pradosh’s plea and have not been established as facts by a court.
Application details alleged assault
According to Pradosh’s application, Darshan allegedly confronted Renukaswamy over messages purportedly sent by the victim to Pavithra Gowda, who has also been named as an accused in the case.
The plea alleges that Renukaswamy was abused and assaulted during the confrontation and that blood was seen coming from his head.
Pradosh further alleged that Pavithra Gowda was asked to confront Renukaswamy and hit him with her slipper.
The application states that Renukaswamy was subsequently stripped down to his underwear and allegedly assaulted by other accused persons.
According to the plea, Nandish, Pavan and Nagaraj allegedly beat Renukaswamy using wooden sticks and a nylon rope. Pradosh alleged that Nandish attempted to hang the victim from a Tata Ace vehicle, while Nagaraj allegedly continued hitting him with the rope.
The application further alleges that other accused persons used wooden sticks during the assault.
Darshan accused of further assault
The plea contains further allegations against Darshan regarding the alleged assault.
According to Pradosh, Darshan allegedly took the nylon rope and struck Renukaswamy several times on his hands and back while messages from the victim’s mobile phone were being read aloud.
At another stage, Pradosh alleges, Renukaswamy was stripped completely and Darshan allegedly kicked him repeatedly in his private parts.
Pradosh has also claimed that he intervened more than once and warned that continued assault could prove fatal.
The application alleges that even after food and water were provided, Darshan kicked Renukaswamy on his neck and chest, causing him to collapse.
Pradosh further claimed that Darshan stood with both feet on the victim’s chest and pressed down before Pradosh intervened again and pulled him away.
These allegations form part of Pradosh’s application seeking pardon and approver status and will have to be considered in the context of the evidence before the trial court.
Plea alleges post-death cover-up
Pradosh’s application also contains allegations about an alleged attempt to conceal the circumstances surrounding Renukaswamy’s death.
According to the plea, Darshan allegedly threatened to kill himself with a gun unless Pradosh assisted in handling the aftermath.
The application claims that discussions subsequently took place about creating an alternative account of events instead of revealing what had allegedly happened.
Pradosh alleged that he and others later returned to Darshan’s residence after discussions at the shed about whether those who had brought Renukaswamy there should surrender before the police.
According to the application, the group instead allegedly discussed creating a version of events intended to mislead investigators.
The plea states that Vinay informed Darshan that Raghavendra had agreed to surrender and that additional people could allegedly be arranged.
Cash allegedly provided to accused
The application further alleges that Darshan returned with a bag containing cash and gave Rs 5 lakh to Nagaraj and Rs 10 lakh to Vinay.
According to Pradosh, the alleged plan was to make Raghavendra, Karthik alias Kappe and Nikhil surrender and claim that Renukaswamy had been brought from Chitradurga over a monetary dispute and killed during a quarrel.
The plea also alleges that assurances of bail were given to those who were expected to surrender.
Pradosh has claimed that efforts were subsequently made to dispose of Renukaswamy’s body and create the impression that the crime had occurred at another location.
Body allegedly moved to Sumanahalli
According to the application, a location near Sumanahalli was identified for disposing of the body.
Pradosh alleges that Renukaswamy’s body was transported from the original crime scene in a white Scorpio after another driver allegedly refused to assist.
The application further claims that the vehicle’s front and rear number plates were removed before the body was allegedly dumped in a drain near Sumanahalli.
The alleged objective, according to Pradosh’s plea, was to make it appear that the murder had taken place elsewhere.
These claims are among the matters that the court will have to consider while assessing Pradosh’s application and the evidence already collected during the investigation.
Pradosh seeks pardon as approver
Pradosh has sought pardon from the court on the condition that he makes a complete and truthful disclosure of everything within his knowledge about the murder and the alleged roles of the other accused.
He has argued that his account could be significant to the prosecution because of his alleged presence during key events connected with the case.
Pradosh was the first accused in the case to approach the court seeking approver status. Subsequently, accused Nos. 8 and 10, Ravi Shankar and Vinay, also filed applications seeking similar status.
The prosecution has supported Pradosh’s request, subject to the requirement that he makes a complete and truthful disclosure.
Separate plea seeks protection
Pradosh has also filed a separate application seeking protection while in judicial custody.
He has requested that prison authorities keep him in a separate cell from the other accused, stating that sharing a barrack could expose him to pressure or intimidation.
He has also sought separate production before the court during future hearings.
The request comes as Pradosh seeks to distance himself from the other accused while offering to provide information to the prosecution.
Chargesheet alleges Pradosh’s role
The prosecution chargesheet has attributed a significant role to Pradosh in the alleged conspiracy.
According to the chargesheet, Pradosh allegedly received Rs 30 lakh from Darshan and played a role in coordinating the surrender of other accused persons.
Investigators have alleged that he was present at the Pattanagere shed where Renukaswamy was allegedly confined. The chargesheet also states that he informed Darshan about the victim’s death, brought Pavithra Gowda to the shed and participated in the alleged conspiracy.
Pradosh has been charged with murder, destruction of evidence and offences relating to common criminal liability.
The investigation has also alleged that Pradosh was present during the assault and had urged Darshan to stop attacking Renukaswamy.
Court reserves order
If Pradosh is granted approver status and subsequently provides a complete and truthful account, his testimony could become an important component of the prosecution’s case.
At the same time, his application and the allegations made in it remain subject to judicial scrutiny. The court will have to assess the plea alongside the chargesheet, evidence and submissions made by all parties.
The 59th Sessions Court, after hearing arguments from the parties, has reserved its order on Pradosh’s application.
The decision on whether he will be granted approver status could therefore become a significant development in the Renukaswamy murder case, particularly given the detailed account he has offered regarding the alleged assault, the events following the death and the alleged efforts to conceal the crime.