7 officials of Parappana Agrahara prison suspended

Bengaluru: Seven officials of Parappana Agrahara Central Jail have been suspended after a photograph of actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is currently in judicial custody for the alleged murder of Renukaswamy, smoking and chilling in the prison premises went viral.

Home Minister G Parameshwara confirmed the development on Monday.

“The investigation lasted until 1 a.m.,” Parameshwara said. “Seven prison officials were suspended.”

As a result of the preliminary investigation, the following jail guards were suspended: Sharana Basava and Prabhu S. Khandelwal, Assistant Jail Guards LS Thippeswamy and Srikanth Talwar, Head Wardens Venkappa Kodti and Sampath Kumar Kadapatti and Prison Superintendent Basappa Keli.

“I have asked for a detailed report. The seven suspended officers have been found complicit. Senior prison officials will be transferred and further action will be taken once I receive the report,” Parameshwara said.

Malini Krishnamoorthy, Director General of Police (Prisons and Correctional Institutions), visited the prison for an inspection on Monday morning. DH has learned.

The viral photo accessed DH The picture shows the actor sitting on a plastic chair on the prison veranda, smoking a cigarette and holding a cup. It is believed that another inmate took the photo and shared it, raising doubts about the effectiveness of the cell phone jammers installed in the prison.

Also seen in the alleged photo are notorious history-sheeter ‘Wilson Garden’ Naga in a black T-shirt, Darshan’s manager Nagaraj in a textured white T-shirt and history-sheeter Srinivas alias Kulla Seena.

Naga, who is wanted for dozens of serious crimes, was arrested under the stringent Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA).

Meanwhile, a video has also gone viral in which Darshan allegedly video calls a fan. In the video, Darshan can allegedly be seen waving from his prison cell. DH could not independently verify whether the video was authentic.