Viral photo and video of Darshan from prison

Darshan was seen smoking inside the prison premises. (Supplied)

The photograph shows actor Darshan, historical artist Willson Garden Naga, actor Nagaraj's manager and another violent historical artist, Kulla Seena, in an open area reminiscent of a lawn, sitting on four plastic chairs arranged around a wooden tea table.

It also shows Darshan holding a cigarette in one hand and a coffee cup in the other, having a light-hearted conversation.

The photo was taken a day after the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch (CCB) raided the Bengaluru Central Jail (Parappana Agrahara) as part of its regular checks.

#Karnataka: One day later #BengaluruThe Central Crime Branch (CCB) raided Bengaluru Central Jail (Parappana Agrahara). A photo of the detainee #Kannada Movie star #DarshanThoogudeepa along with loud bedsheet wearers smoking a cigarette and sipping a coffee has gone viral.

History pages … pic.twitter.com/Yw9h5GA9ij

— South First (@TheSouthfirst) 25 August 2024

Officials suspended, Siddaramiah demands report

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has taken cognizance of the case and ordered immediate suspension of the guilty officials. The Attorney General of Karnataka has been directed to immediately shift Darshan and others involved to other jails. He has also asked the officials to visit the jail and submit a comprehensive report on the case.

ಪರಪ್ಪನ‌ ಅಗ್ರಹಾರ ಜೈಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಟ ದರ್ಶನ್ ಮತ್ತಿತರ ರಿಗೆ ರಾಜಾತಿಥ್ಯ ಒದಗಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಪ್ರಕರಣವನ್ನು ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಗಂಭೀರವಾಗಿ ಪರಿಗಣಿಸಿದ್ದು, ತಪ್ಪಿತಸ್ಥ ಅಧ ಿಕಾರಿಗಳನ್ನು ಕೂಡಲೇ ಅಮಾನತು ಮಾಡುವಂತೆ ಸೂಚಿಸಿದ್ದೇನೆ.

ದರ್ಶನ್ ಮತ್ತು ಇತರರನ್ನು ಕೂಡಲೇ ಬೇರೆ ಬೇರೆ ಕಾರಾಗೃ. ಹಗಳಿಗೆ ಸ್ಥಳಾಂತರ ಮಾಡುವಂತೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಕಾರಾಗೃಹಕ್ಕೆ ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಿ ಪ್ರಕರಣದ…

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) 26 August 2024

Reacting to the photo, Karnataka Minister G Parameshwara confirmed that there had been lapses in the prison. He also assured that this would not happen again. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said: “Yesterday (25 August) evening, our officials went and enquired. Seven officials were suspended. This is a lapse. This cannot happen again. We also have some responsibility.”

Apart from the suspensions, the superintendent of the Central Prison in Parappana Agrahara was also transferred.

Those suspended include jailers Sharan Basappa Amingad and Prabhu S Khandelwal, assistant jailers LS Kuppeswamy and Srikanth Talwar, head wardens Venkappa, Sampath Kumar and jailer K Basappa.

Also read: Darshan arrest case: No soft corner for anyone, says Karnataka Home Minister

Opposition criticizes government

Meanwhile, Kashinath S Shivanagowdru, father of the late Renukaswamy, reacted to the picture and demanded an investigation and punishment of those responsible. “In such things, there is a feeling that a CBI investigation should be held.”

“When I look at the picture, I am surprised to see him (Darshan) with others, holding a cigarette and drinking tea. We have doubts whether he is in jail or not. The jail should be a jail and not become something else. He should be treated like other normal prisoners, but here it looks like he is sitting in a recreational area,” he told reporters in the district capital Chitradurga.

Stating that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and police officials had promised him justice, he said, “The culprits should be punished and through this, my son's soul should find peace. I know the pain of losing my son… we are deeply saddened and he (Darshan) seems to be enjoying being there in jail… We still have faith in the police and the government.”

The opposition BJP asked the Home Minister to make it clear to the people whether the Parappana Agrahara prison was a “prison or a palace”.

Party leader and MLC N Ravi Kumar said in a statement that it was highly objectionable that the prison authorities and police had offered Darshan a “luxurious (stay) and royal hospitality” in the prison.

“This is the culmination of Congress's mismanagement… This underlines the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The Home Ministry has completely failed,” he said, urging the government to immediately investigate the matter and take action against the guilty officials and staff so that such incidents do not occur in the jail in future.

Renukaswamy's murder

Actor Darshan, popularly known as 'Challenging Star' Gowda, and his close associates were arrested on June 12 for the murder of the 33-year-old fan on June 8.

Renukaswamy's body, with multiple injury marks, was found near a stormwater drain next to a flat in Sumanahalli on June 9. Renukaswamy, a resident of the district headquarters Chitradurga, worked for a pharmaceutical company.

He allegedly left comments on Gowda's social media account, accusing her of driving a wedge between the actor and his wife, and used “indecent language” and posted abusive messages, police sources said.

“It was Pavithra who instigated Darshan to punish Renukaswamy. Accordingly, the plan was hatched,” police said. “Darshan engaged the Chitradurga unit of Darshan fan club chairman Raghavendra alias Raghu, who got all the information about Renukaswamy.”

Renukaswamy's wife Sahana said Raghavendra picked up her husband near their house on Friday evening. The victim was kidnapped and taken to a shed in Bengaluru's Kamakshipalya area, the sources said.

“Darshan hit Renukaswamy with a belt. After he fell unconscious, his accomplices beat him with sticks. They also threw him against a wall, which proved fatal,” they said, adding that his entire body suffered multiple fractures.

After his death, his body was thrown into a storm drain. A food delivery man who noticed dogs eating a human body alerted the police.

Also read: 'Heinous crime committed in a cruel manner': Bengaluru police chief

(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula, with contributions from Mahesh G Goudar and PTI)