Jail party for actor Darshan: BJP blames DK Shivakumar for murder accused actor getting VIP treatment in Bengaluru Central Jail – Karnataka News

The opposition BJP has blamed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for the “VIP treatment” given to murder accused actor Darshan Thoogudeepa in the Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru.

BJP MP and Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Parliament R Ashoka said, “The Deputy Chief Minister had stated that Darshan's assistant had come to his house and asked him for help. About four to five days ago, the entire prison was searched and phones were seized. Where did the phones come from just four days later? This is how brazenly coffee and tea are being served.”

Ashoka referred to a viral clip featuring Darshan Actor Darshan in a video call from prison.

“The government must respond. Law and order have broken down. The prison is just one example,” he added.

The BJP leader's reaction came after a picture went viral on social media showing Darshan sits in a kind of park in a prisonand relaxes with a drink and a cigarette. Some inmates can also be seen with him.

Following this uproar, the Congress-led state government suspended nine prison officials, including Prison Superintendent V. Seshumurthy and Jail Superintendent Mallikarjun Swamy.

Union minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy, whose party is in alliance with the BJP, said, “Talks of five-star treatment of criminals in Parappana Agrahara jail have been doing the rounds for years. Two or three days ago, the issue came up and the news of criminals being shifted is on everyone's lips. We have to see what they do.”

“How can people trust this government in matters of law and order? Is there even a government in this state? The government is only doing corruption and calling each other names. There is no work for ministers in the government, the prime minister has no time. They wake up and have hardly any time left while they continue to defend corruption and fraud,” he said.

Addressing the media in Belagavi on Monday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah admitted that there had been lapses on the part of prison officials.

“The officials concerned have failed to act. We have already suspended seven officials. Some more will also be suspended. I have directed Home Minister G. Parameshwara to visit the spot and remove those who have abetted this,” the chief minister said.

According to Malini Krishnamoorthy, Deputy Director General of Police (Prisons and Corrections), complaints have been filed regarding the use of mobile phones and cigarettes on prison premises and the smuggling of these items into the prison.

“Darshan is involved in this. The FIR includes the jail guards and those who used these items as accused. A senior IPS officer will investigate the matter,” the news agency said PTI quoted Krishnamoorthy.

Krishnamoorthy said preliminary investigations suggested that the incident occurred on the evening of August 22.

“We had no information about any such incident. If we had known about it, we would have taken action. There was a gap in monitoring the CCTV footage,” said Krishnamoorthy.

Darshan was arrested along with 16 others in connection with the murder case of Renukaswamy, a fan of the Kannada actor.

Renukaswamy, a 33-year-old auto driver, was found near a flyover in Bengaluru on June 9. According to police, Renukaswamy, who was a fan of Darshan, was kidnapped and murdered by a gang at the actor's behest after he allegedly sent abusive messages on social media to actor Pavithra Gowda, who is rumoured to be Darshan's partner.

With contributions from Sagay Raj