BENGALURU, Aug. 12 -- A court hearing the Renukaswamy murder case on Tuesday deferred recording the statement of accused No. 14, Pradosh S, until August 18. Pradosh is seeking pardon and approver status in exchange for disclosing what he knows about the killing.

His 11-page petition alleges that actor Darshan and other accused brutally assaulted Renukaswamy at a shed, beating him with sticks and a nylon rope, kicking him and pressing down on his chest before allegedly devising a plan to conceal the killing.

Darshan and Pavithra Gowda appeared before the court by video conference as lawyers argued over when Pradosh's statement should be recorded.

"Pradosh's lawyer, Diwakar, sought an early recording of the statement, arguing that the ca...