Coffee and cigarette: Photos of Kannada superstar Darshan from prison go viral

Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is accused of kidnapping and murdering his fan Renukaswamy, is allegedly receiving preferential treatment during his detention in Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Jail.

In the photo shared by news agency IANS, the actor is seen wearing a grey T-shirt and black pants, while holding a cup of coffee and a cigarette in his other hand. He is sitting in the garden area with three other men, sipping coffee and laughing about something. The viral photo has raised major security concerns in the prison.

According to some news reports, sitting alongside Darshan are violent historian Wilson Garden Naga and other inmates are Nagaraj (the actor's manager and co-accused) and Kulla Seena.

Reacting to the viral image, Kashinath S Shivanagowdru, father of the late Renukaswamy, demanded an investigation and punishment of those responsible. “In such things, there is a feeling that there should be an investigation by the CBI.”

“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 resort,” news agency PTI quoted Shivanagowdru as saying.

The Kannada actor was arrested on June 11, 2024 in connection with a murder case and has been in judicial custody since June 22.