Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A court application filed by accused no. 14, Pradosh, in the Renukaswamy murder case has laid out detailed allegations regarding the alleged assault on Renukaswamy and the subsequent efforts to conceal the crime. The allegations form part of Pradosh’s plea seeking pardon under Section 307 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and are not findings of the court.
India Today has accessed the application, which was submitted before the court as Pradosh seeks approver status in the high-profile case involving actor Darshan, Pavithra Gowda and several other accused.
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ALLEGATIONS OF ASSAULT
According to the application filed by Pradosh, Darshan allegedly confronted Renukaswamy over messages purportedly sent to Pavithra Gowda and abused and assaulted him. Pradosh claims blood was seen oozing from Renukaswamy’s head during the assault. The plea further alleges that Pavithra Gowda was asked to confront the victim and hit him with her slipper.
The application states that Renukaswamy was then stripped down to his underwear and subsequently assaulted by other accused. Nandish, Pavan and Nagaraj allegedly beat him using wooden sticks and a nylon rope. Pradosh alleges that Nandish attempted to hang Renukaswamy from a Tata Ace vehicle, while Nagaraj continued striking him with a nylon rope and the others used wooden sticks.
The plea further alleges that Darshan took the nylon rope and struck Renukaswamy multiple times on his hands and back while messages from the victim’s mobile phone were being read aloud. At another stage, according to the application, Renukaswamy was stripped completely and was allegedly kicked repeatedly by Darshan in his private parts.
Pradosh claims he intervened more than once, warning that continued assault could prove fatal. Even after food and water were provided, the application alleges that Darshan kicked Renukaswamy on the neck and chest, causing him to collapse. The plea further claims that Darshan stood with both feet on the victim’s chest and pressed down before Pradosh again intervened and pulled him away.
ALLEGED COVER-UP AFTER DEATH
The application also details an alleged effort to cover up the crime after Renukaswamy’s death. Pradosh claims that Darshan threatened to kill himself with a gun if he did not assist in handling the aftermath. According to the plea, discussions then took place about creating an alternative version of events instead of disclosing what had happened.
Pradosh alleges that he and others later returned to Darshan’s residence after discussions at the shed on whether those who had brought Renukaswamy there should surrender before the police. According to the application, the group instead discussed creating an alternative version of events to mislead the investigation. Pradosh states that at Darshan’s residence, Vinay informed Darshan that Raghavendra had agreed to surrender and that more people could be arranged.
The application alleges that Darshan then returned with a bag of cash and gave Rs 5 lakh to Nagaraj and Rs 10 lakh to Vinay. The group allegedly planned to make Raghavendra, Karthik @ Kappe and Nikhil surrender and claim that Renukaswamy had been brought from Chitradurga over a monetary dispute and killed during a quarrel.
The plea further alleges that assurances of bail were given to the proposed surrendering accused and that efforts were made to dispose of the body. According to the application, a location near Sumanahalli was identified, Renukaswamy’s body was transported from the original crime scene in a white Scorpio after another driver refused assistance, and the vehicle’s front and rear number plates were removed. The body was allegedly dumped in a drain near Sumanahalli to create the impression that the crime had occurred elsewhere.
PLEA FOR PARDON AND APPROVER STATUS
Seeking pardon, Pradosh has told the court he is prepared to make a “full and true disclosure” of all facts within his knowledge regarding the murder and the roles of the other accused. He argues that, as a witness to the events, his testimony could become a crucial link in the prosecution’s case.
Pradosh was the first accused to move the court seeking pardon under the law in return for making a full and truthful disclosure of the circumstances surrounding the murder. Soon after, accused Nos. 8 and 10 — Ravi Shankar and Vinay — also filed applications seeking approver status.
SEPARATE PROTECTION PLEA
In a separate application, Pradosh has also sought protection from actor Darshan and the other accused while in judicial custody. In his plea, he requested that prison authorities house him in a separate cell, stating that sharing a barrack with the co-accused could expose him to pressure or intimidation. He also sought separate production before the court during future hearings.
WHAT THE CHARGESHEET SAYS
The prosecution chargesheet alleges that Pradosh received Rs 30 lakh from Darshan and played a significant role in coordinating the surrender of other accused persons. Investigators have claimed that he was present at the Pattanagere shed where Renukaswamy was allegedly confined, informed Darshan about the victim’s death, brought co-accused Pavithra Gowda to the shed, and participated in the alleged conspiracy. He has been charged with murder, destruction of evidence and offences involving common criminal liability.
The investigation further alleges that Pradosh was present during the assault and had urged Darshan to stop attacking Renukaswamy. If granted approver status, his testimony could become a key part of the prosecution’s case, given his alleged role as both an eyewitness and a participant in the events leading to Renukaswamy’s death.
The prosecution has supported Pradosh’s request for approver status, subject to conditions requiring a complete and truthful disclosure.
The 59th Sessions Court, which heard arguments from all sides, has reserved its order on the application.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
