Government Witness Ruling Remains Firm; Lower Court Testimony Recorded

Bengaluru, Oct 8 — In a decisive move, the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the Karnataka High Court and lower trial court’s orders that kept Pradosh S. Rao on the government‑witness roster in the Renukaswamy murder probe. The petition, filed by film star Darshan’s wife Vijayalakshmi, claimed procedural lapses in the appointment of the witness. The top court dismissed the plea, stating there was no substantive ground for intervention.

The judgment leaves the prosecution’s strategy unchanged. Pradosh’s testimony, taken by the trial court on Wednesday, is now part of the official record and will be used as evidence. While the defense can still question the witness during cross‑examination, it cannot challenge his status as a government‑appointed informant.

The court also pointed out that the victim’s mother has withdrawn her statement, making the presence of a government witness potentially essential for the case. Darshan’s legal team sought additional time to prepare, but the bench rejected the request, noting that the relevant material had already been reviewed. The decision is expected to tighten the legal noose around Darshan and other accused individuals awaiting trial.