Prime Minister of K'taka promises action against those involved

(MENAFN-IANS) Belagavi (Karnataka), Aug 26 (IANS) – Commenting on the preferential treatment given to Kannada actor Darshan in Bengaluru Central Jail, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said action would be taken against those involved.

Speaking to reporters in Belagavi, CM Siddaramaiah said seven people have already been suspended in connection with allegations of special treatment against Darshan, who is in Parappana Agrahara Jail for murder.

“Further action will be taken against some others too. I have directed the Home Minister to visit the jail and conduct an inquiry based on which appropriate action will be taken,” CM Siddaramaiah said.

CM Siddaramaiah also mentioned that a decision would be taken on whether Darshan should be shifted to another prison.

Amid criticism of the video showing Darshan's preferential treatment in prison, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday directed the authorities to shift the accused actor and his accomplices to other prisons.

Darshan is in Bengaluru Central Jail with 13 accused in a kidnapping and murder case. The 13 accused include his partner, the main accused Pavithra Gowda.

Another four accused are lodged in Tumakuru District Jail.

The official statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Monday said Siddaramaiah had taken the matter seriously and directed the authorities to immediately suspend the officials responsible.

CM Siddaramaiah has also directed the Attorney General of Karnataka to visit the jail and submit a detailed report.

The photo of Darshan sitting on a chair in front of his barracks with a cigarette in one hand and a coffee cup in the other went viral on Sunday.

Also seen in the photo are Darshan's manager and two other prison inmates sitting next to him.

The development sparked controversy in the state and raised questions about the functioning and rampant corruption in the prison administration.

HM Parameshwara said that after the incident, Director General of Prisons Malini Krishnamurthy immediately spoke to the officials concerned at Bengaluru Central Jail and an investigation was conducted till 1 am.

Following the preliminary investigation, seven officials of Bengaluru Central Jail have been suspended with immediate effect and the jail superintendent will be transferred once the report is available.

The case is in the final stages of filing a chargesheet and the development is seen as a setback for Darshan, who had hoped to seek bail soon after the chargesheet is filed.

The gruesome murder of Renukaswamy took place on June 8 in Bengaluru. He was kidnapped from his hometown Chitradurga, brought to Bengaluru, kept in a shed and tortured to death.

After the murder, his body was thrown into a canal. The incident came to light when security personnel at a private residence saw the body being dragged behind him by a pack of dogs.

Renukaswamy leaves behind elderly parents, a pregnant wife and a sister.

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