The high-profile murder trial of Renukaswamy witnessed a significant development on Tuesday, with the prosecution moving the court to declare the victim's own mother, Rathnaprabha, a hostile witness. This move marks a dramatic turn in the sensational 2024 case where Kannada film star Darshan Thoogudeepa, his friend Pavitra Gowda, and several associates stand as the main accused.
Contradictory Statements Lead to Hostile Witness Plea
Special Public Prosecutor Prasanna Kumar P explained the rationale behind the request to the Times of India. He stated that while Rathnaprabha's initial testimony during the examination-in-chief was consistent and supported the prosecution's case, her stance shifted during the cross-examination by Darshan's defense counsel on Monday and Tuesday.
Initially, Rathnaprabha had testified that her official statement was recorded on June 11, 2024. However, under cross-examination, she changed her account, stating she had given statements on three separate occasions: June 11, June 14, and once before the police commissioner.
Key Details of the Testimony and Inconsistencies
Another critical point of contradiction emerged regarding her last communication with her son. Rathnaprabha had previously told the court she was the last person to speak to Renukaswamy at 2:30 PM on June 8. Later, however, she claimed she was unaware of two specific phone numbers mentioned in her statement and did not know to whom they belonged.
These inconsistencies prompted the prosecution to argue that her testimony was becoming unreliable and potentially damaging to their case. The court has now adjourned the arguments on this matter to January 5 for further consideration.
Case Background and Next Steps
The murder case, which has gripped Karnataka, involves the alleged killing of Renukaswamy, with investigations pointing to motives linked to online comments made about actress Pavitra Gowda. The legal proceedings have been closely followed, with this latest development adding another layer of complexity.
The prosecution's attempt to label the victim's mother as hostile underscores the challenges in presenting a cohesive narrative. The court's decision on January 5 will be crucial in determining how Rathnaprabha's future testimony will be treated and could significantly impact the trajectory of the trial against Darshan and the other accused.
