Fan murder case: SC to take up plea challenging accused Pradosh’s approver status

The Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear a petition challenging judicial orders that allowed an accused individual to become an approver in a high-profile murder case. The petition was filed by the wife of a prominent jailed actor who is among the accused in the matter. The case centers on the alleged abduction, torture, and murder of a 33-year-old pharmacy worker named Renukaswamy in Bengaluru in June 2024.

The controversy revolves around accused number 14, described as a close aide of the actor, who applied to turn into a prosecution witness in August 2026. A trial court accepted the plea and granted a conditional pardon on the condition that he make a full and truthful disclosure. He subsequently appeared before the Bengaluru City Civil and Sessions Court to record a detailed statement under oath regarding the events that occurred at a shed on the night of the murder.

The decision to grant approver status was previously challenged by the actor and his wife before the Karnataka High Court. The High Court upheld the trial court's order while noting that the co-accused would retain the right to cross-examine the witness during the trial. Dissatisfied with the outcome, appeals were taken to the Supreme Court for further review, where a Division Bench is set to examine the legality of the proceedings.

Not yet reported: The reports do not detail the final verdict of the ongoing trial or the final decision of the Supreme Court.