Investigation launched after photo of actor Darshan smoking coffee in jail goes viral

A photo of actor Darshan smoking a cigarette with an allegedly jailed rowdy goes viral. | Photo credit: Special Arrangement

The Prisons and Corrections Department has launched an investigation into a photograph showing imprisoned Kannada film actor Darshan smoking with a coffee cup in his hand, allegedly taken at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison Complex, which went viral on Sunday, August 25.

The photo shows Darshan holding a coffee cup while sitting on a chair in a lawn along with three others, including two alleged rowdies and his manager, who is also an accused in the murder case for which the actor is in jail. He is also seen holding a cigarette in his left hand and chatting happily. The photo seems to have been taken from a window of the building opposite. Even as the photo was going viral, a Kannada news channel even aired the recording of a video call in which Darshan was interacting with one of his fans, claiming that the call was made from inside the jail.

This comes just days after the Supreme Court rejected his plea for home boarding citing health issues. Earlier, there were also allegations of preferential treatment against the actor, who is on remand in jail, in connection with a case in which he along with 16 other associates allegedly killed one of his fans, Renkaswamy, for allegedly sending offensive messages to his partner. However, the Home Ministry had earlier denied these allegations.

Malini Krishnamurthy, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, has asked senior officials to visit the prison, conduct an investigation and submit a report stating whether the photograph was actually taken inside the prison and whether the actor is being given any preferential treatment.

Meanwhile, BJP MP N. Ravikumar came out in sharp criticism of the state government for allegedly giving preferential treatment to the jailed actor. “The photograph suggests that Darshan is getting all kinds of perks in jail. The government should take strict action against the erring officials to ensure that such incidents do not recur,” he said.