Renukaswamy Murder Case: High Court Orders Accused Pradosh Rao's Return To Bengaluru Jail

Darshan and actress Pavithra Gowda, along with others, are currently facing a trial for the murder of the fan, Renukaswamy, on June 8. He was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by men working with or for Kannada actor Darshan after sending lewd messages to the actor’s longtime partner, Pavithra Gowda. The case has taken turns as the time passed. Among the 17 accused, three have been granted bail while others wait for their turn. Actor Darshan was initially sent to Parappana Agrahara Jail along with other accused Dhanaraj, Vinay and Pradosh. After the case was extended, Darshan reportedly suffered from diarrhoea and weight loss. Two months later, the actor was spotted smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee at jail along with other accused. He was then shifted to Ballari Central Jail. In a recent development of the case, the Bengaluru High Court ordered Pradosh S Rao, accused No. 14, to be shifted back to Central Prison, Bengaluru.

The High Court cited the trial court’s non-application of mind in ordering Rao’s transfer to Belagavi Central Prison. Rao was transferred to Belagavi Central Prison and allegedly kept in an Andheri (dark) cell.

In his petition, Rao argued he wasn’t present in the photographs that appeared in the media showing the actor with rowdy Wilson Garden Naga, which led to transfers. When Rao’s wife visited him, she said her husband was housed in a dark cell where darkness reigned for 15 hours. He was sitting in front of the camera for eight hours under observation.

Justice M Nagaprasanna noted that the petition indicates that Rao was in an Andheri cell. The Justice complained about the shifting of the undertrial prisoner into a dark cell without any grave issue in unlawful. “If anyone had to be shifted, it could have been accused no. 2 Darshan, as he was on the scene, in the company of others, sipping coffee and cigarette in hand” said Justice Nagaprasanna as quoted by Times of India.

As per the latest reports on the case, the hearing for the bail plea for Darshan is expected to be held today. Last week, Darshan’s lawyer, C V Nagesh, argued in the court that attempts are being made to implicate the actor.