Actor Darshan to be transferred to another prison, 7 officials suspended over dispute over VIP treatment

As many as seven officials of Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara prison have been suspended after Kannada actor Darshan, accused in a murder case, was seen drinking tea and hanging out with three others in the prison premises, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara confirmed.

Following this development, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed the prison authorities to shift Darshan to another prison. Siddaramaiah also asked the state Director General of Police to visit the prison premises and submit a detailed report of the incident.

Darshan is currently in judicial custody in the Renukaswamy murder case.

Regarding the suspension of the prison officials, the Interior Minister said he had spoken to the Directorate General (Prisons) and launched an investigation.

Parameshwara also said that senior officials, including the prison superintendent, would be transferred.

“At around 4.30 pm, I received information that Darshan and three others were relaxing by drinking tea. I spoke to the Director General (Prison) and sent officials to the spot. An investigation was initiated at 1 am,” he said.

“This should not have happened. Seven officers have been suspended and some senior officials, including the prison director, will be transferred,” the Home Minister added.

When asked about security in the prison, Parameshwara said, “We are not defending what happened. We have installed jammers but we cannot install radio frequency jammers as they will cause disruption to residential areas.”

The viral photo shows Darshan relaxing on a chair in an open space, with a cigarette and a cup of tea in his hand.

According to media reports, the picture also featured rowdy Wilson Garden Naga as well as inmates Nagaraj (the actor's manager and co-accused) and Kulla Seena.

Renukaswamy, 33, a fan of the actor, had sent obscene messages to Gowda, which enraged Darshan and allegedly led to the fan's murder. His body was found near a stormwater drain next to a flat in Bengaluru's Sumanahalli on June 9.

Renukaswamy's autopsy report states that he died of shock and haemorrhage due to multiple blunt injuries.