BJP on VIP treatment of actor accused of murder

Bengaluru:

Pictures of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa – accused in the Renukaswamy murder case – receiving apparent special treatment in a Bengaluru jail have sparked a storm of outrage, with BJP leader R Ashoka blaming Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for the “luxurious treatment”.

Mr Ashoka, the leader of the opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, claimed that the deputy chief minister had visited Darshan in prison and “assured him of all help”. He demanded to know how the murder-accused actor had obtained “cigarettes, coffee and intoxicants” in prison.

“Law and order has broken down in the state… the number of rape and murder cases is increasing. Ministers and MPs are worried about the survival of the government (and) the Congress should give a befitting response to the jail incidents,” the BJP leader said on Monday afternoon.

“It is no use if they say an investigation is being conducted,” he explained. “How did a mobile phone get into the house… to take the photograph of Darshan drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette?”

Ashoka was not the only BJP politician to target the Congress party over the issue. Union minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday alleged that it was a ploy to destroy evidence and threaten witnesses in the case.

“The Congress government has failed to handle the darshan case. Darshan sitting (referring to the widely circulated pictures) is a strategy to destroy evidence and threaten witnesses by creating fear.”

The ruling Congress has also come under fire from its former ally Janata Dal (Secular).

Former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, who is now a Union minister after the JDS-BJP alliance, claimed that the “star treatment of criminals incarcerated in Parappana Agrahara jail” has been “talked about for years”.

“This problem is not new. It has been there in the past too and has led to major disputes between the senior police officials… There was a dispute over the demand for investigation. Now there is talk of transferring criminals. We have to see what they (the Congress government) will do…” he said.

“How are people supposed to trust this government when it comes to law and order?”

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah – who is already under criticism and faces prosecution in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority fraud case – has announced that he will take action against erring officials.

READ | 7 prison officials suspended for VIP treatment of actor Darshan

Seven prison staff have been suspended so far. “Further action will be taken against others too. I have directed the Home Minister (G Parameshwara) to visit the prison and conduct an inquiry…”

A decision will also be taken on Darshan Thoogudeepa's transfer to another prison, his office said today. Karnataka Police Commissioner Alok Mohan has been asked to submit a report.

The actor and 13 others are in Parappana Agrahara Central Jail for the gruesome murder of Renukaswamy. Renukaswamy was allegedly kidnapped, tortured and murdered by the actor's accomplices after he sent obscene messages to actress Pavithra Gowda, a friend of Darshan.

Renukaswamy's body was found in a storm drain on June 9.

Four other accused in this case are in another jail in Tumakuru district.

Special treatment for actor accused of murder?

The photo that sparked this spate of attacks on Congress shows Darshan and three other men relaxing in plastic chairs on a small lawn. The actor can be seen smiling and holding a coffee cup.

READ | Special treatment for actor accused of murder in prison? Image triggers controversy

The other participants in the social gathering reportedly included his manager and co-accused Wilson Garden Naga and Kulla Seena, also a prison inmate. Footage of a video call showing Darshan speaking to an as yet unidentified person has also been widely circulated.

NDTV cannot independently verify the authenticity of any images or videos.

READ | Tea party and video call of imprisoned actor Darshan goes viral, victim's father cries

The photos and video sparked widespread criticism, with many expressing outrage at what appeared to be preferential treatment of Darshan. Kashinath S Shivanagowdru, Renukaswamy's father, called for a thorough investigation and punishment of those responsible.

With input from agencies

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