The LVIII Additional City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru, presided over by Judge S.M. Sambrani, issued an order on August 28, 2026, directing that Pradosh S Rao, who was granted conditional pardon and made an approver in the Renukaswamy murder case, shall be examined as a prosecution witness on September 2, 2026.
The court noted the submission of the Special Public Prosecutor, who expressed preference for examining Rao on August 31 and emphasized the need for his physical presence before the court to confront him with certain documents and material objects during examination. However, the court also recorded the submission made by counsel for accused Darshan (accused no. 2), who sought to adjourn the examination of Rao until September 2, stating that they intended to prefer an appeal against the order granting conditional pardon to Rao.
After considering both submissions, the court observed that, in light of the Special Public Prosecutor’s position and the defence’s request, Pradosh S Rao, accused no. 14, is to be treated as a prosecution witness. Accordingly, the court directed that Mr. Pradosh S. Rao shall be examined as a prosecution witness on September 2, 2026.
The court further directed the issuance of witness summons to Pradosh S Rao and the issuance of intimation to the jail authorities and the Police Inspector of Kamakshipalya Police Station to ensure his physical production before the court on the said date.
Earlier, Pradosh Rao had urged the court to record his statement immediately, contending that the co-accused had no right to further postpone the examination of an approver. His counsel submitted that Rao was being subjected to severe pressure. The court had previously granted Rao conditional pardon and approved his status as an approver on August 25, 2026. Following this, Rao was directed to read the pardon order and state his acceptance. Upon enquiry by the court on August 27, he confirmed that he had gone through the order and accepted the conditional pardon.
The present development follows the Karnataka High Court’s judgment dated August 13, 2026, which dismissed a petition filed by accused Darshan challenging the trial court’s refusal to allow him to file objections to Rao’s application to turn approver. The trial court had earlier held that, at the stage of considering an approver application, the persons concerned are the accused seeking pardon, the prosecution, and the court, and that other co-accused have no right to participate in the proceedings.
The case is titled Kamakshipalya P.S. v. Pavithra Gowda & Ors, bearing Case No. SC 1319/2024.
The court’s order reaffirms the procedural stance that co-accused cannot impede the examination of an approver once pardon has been conditionally granted and accepted, particularly when the prosecution seeks to proceed with the witness’s testimony in the interest of trial progression.