Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday dismissed jailed actor Darshan’s appeal challenging the order of the 59th City Civil and Sessions Court (CCH), stating that he and other accused had no right to object to accused Pradosh being considered as an approver in the Renukaswamy murder case.
Darshan had approached the High Court questioning the lower court’s order. However, a bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna declined to interfere with the order of the 59th CCH Court, referring to the principles laid down in the Vinay Kulkarni case, which the Supreme Court had already upheld.
The High Court observed that a co accused does not have the right to object to another accused being made an approver. The court held that procedural lapses, if any, could be challenged only after the accused is granted approver status.
During the hearing, senior advocate Hashmat Pasha, appearing for Darshan, argued that the defence had not even been provided a copy of Pradosh’s application seeking to become an approver.
“We are only seeking an opportunity to raise objections regarding procedural lapses. We were not allowed to do even that,” Pasha argued.
The development comes as the trial in the Renukaswamy murder case is progressing. Pradosh, the 14th accused in the case, has submitted an application seeking to turn approver and record his statement against the other accused.
Pradosh was reportedly close to Darshan, who is the 14th accused in the case.
It can be recalled that the trial court, hearing the Renukaswamy murder case involving actor Darshan on Wednesday, directed that the statement of accused No. 14 Pradosh, who has applied to become an approver, should not be recorded for a week. His lawyer also told the court that Pradosh was facing a threat to his life inside prison and sought separate security for him.
Pradosh, who is accused No. 14 in the Renukaswamy murder case, has sought to turn approver and record his statement in connection with the case. The court’s latest order means that the process of recording his statement will remain on hold until August 18 and is also subject to the High Court’s order.
It is worth noting that Darshan’s fans recently interrupted Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s speech at an event, demanding the actor’s release. Shivakumar said he understood their sentiments but maintained that he could not comment on the matter as it was before the court. Following this, one of Darshan’s close associates, Pradosh, filed a petition before the court seeking to become an approver in the case.
Meanwhile, the police investigating the alleged kidnapping and life threats issued to Sandeep, a witness in the Renukaswamy murder case, have reportedly traced two industrialists who allegedly played a key role in threatening him.
(IANS)
