VIP treatment for actor Darshan in jail, 9 officials suspended

As many as nine officials at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Jail were suspended following an investigation into a viral photograph and video showing Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa receiving what appears to be special treatment while in custody. 

Darshan, accused in a murder case, was seen having tea and hanging out with three others on the prison premises, Karnataka Home Minister, G Parameshwara, confirmed.

Following the development, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah instructed prison authorities to move Darshan to a different jail. Siddaramaiah also asked the state Director General of Police (DGP) to visit the prison premises and submit a detailed report on the incident. Darshan is currently in judicial custody in the Renukaswamy murder case.

Commenting on the suspension of jail officials, the Home Minister said he spoke to the Directorate General (prisons) and an investigation was launched. Parameshwara also said senior officers, including the prison superintendent, will be transferred. he said. “We had already suspended seven officials. I visited the jail and came to know about the involvement of two more officials, hence suspended them too,” the Home Minister said, adding, “Three First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered in the case.”

In the viral photo, Darshan could be seen relaxing on a chair, holding a cigarette and a cup of tea, in an open space. Media reports suggested others seen in the picture were rowdy sheeter Wilson Garden Naga and inmates Nagaraj (the actor’s manager and co-accused) and Kulla Seena.

Thirty-three-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor, had sent obscene messages to Gowda, which enraged Darshan, allegedly leading to the fan’s murder. His body was found near a stormwater drain next to an apartment in Bengaluru’s Sumanahalli on June 9.