The Karnataka High Court has turned down a plea by the State government seeking permission to cross-examine the mother of Renukaswamy, the man allegedly murdered in a case involving Kannada actor Darshan S. Boss and several others. Justice M. Nagaprasanna, delivering the order on August 18, 2026, upheld the trial court's earlier decision refusing the prosecution's request.
Background of the Case
The case traces back to June 2024, when a security officer found a man's body near a stream close to an apartment complex in Bengaluru. The body was later identified as Renukaswamy. What followed was a wide-ranging investigation that eventually named 17 people as accused, including actor Darshan S. Boss and Pavitra Gowda, in a case registered under Sections 302 and 201 of the IPC. The trial has been ongoing before the LVI Additional City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru as S.C. No. 1319 of 2024.
During the trial, the deceased's mother appeared as a prosecution witness. While being cross-examined by defence lawyers, she made certain statements — about how the body was identified, about phone contact with her son, and about the weapon used — that the prosecution felt did not match its own case records.
What the Prosecution Argued
The Special Public Prosecutor told the trial court that these statements were serious enough to warrant permission under Section 154 of the Evidence Act, which allows a party to question its own witness in the manner of cross-examination. The trial court disagreed and rejected the request on January 17, 2026, prompting the State to approach the High Court.
Court's Observation
Justice Nagaprasanna examined a long line of Supreme Court rulings on Section 154, noting that permission to cross-examine one's own witness is meant for exceptional situations, not routine use. The Court observed that occasional inconsistencies do not amount to hostility, adding that a witness speaking the truth in an unguarded moment cannot automatically be treated as going against the party who called them.
The order also pointed out that the prosecution had the option of re-examining the witness to clear up any confusion but chose not to use it.
The Decision
Finding no grounds to interfere, the High Court dismissed the State's petition, holding that the trial court's reasoning was sound and consistent with settled law. The plea to cross-examine the mother of the deceased was accordingly rejected.
Case Details:
- Case Title: State of Karnataka vs. Pavitra Gowda & Others
- Case Number: Criminal Petition No. 6820 of 2026
- Judge: Hon'ble Mr. Justice M. Nagaprasanna
- Decision Date: August 18, 2026
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