‘Royal treatment’ to actor Darshan at police station? Karnataka Home Minister, DK Shivakumar deny reports

“On hearing such (complaints) from you (media), I inquired. They (police) said, no such facilities are being given and it will not be done. How other accused are treated, he (Darshan) is also treated in the same way. There is no mercy…. They (police) should be given free hand. I have also inquired with the (Bengaluru Police) Commissioner,” the Minister said.

Parameshwara also responded to a question on reports of police causing inconvenience to the public near Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station, where Darshan is held, by restricting the movement of people nearby by blocking roads, and not allowing even school vans and ambulances to pass by.

When pointed out that other complainants and those coming for passport verification are facing inconvenience in going to the police station, the Minister said he would instruct the police to take necessary measures in this regard.

Related: Actor Darshan arrest: CCTV footage shows suspected abduction of murder victim Renukaswamy

‘No pressure’

Similarly, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar too rubbished reports that the government is under pressure from “influential people” to favour Darshan.

“There is no pressure from anyone…..neither our Home Minister or anyone else is involved (interfering) in it (investigation), we are not recommending anything, we don’t know anything,” Shivakumar said in response to a question that some influential people are exerting pressure on the government in the Darshan case.

The statements came in the wake of some reports about a state minister’s alleged efforts to “shield” Darshan.

Responding to the “royal treatment” remarks, Shivakumar said: “I inquired with the police. There are 13 accused there (at the police station), as you (media) stand with your cameras there from morning till evening, they (police) need an opportunity to work freely, so they have put (erected a pandal) there.”

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‘Hate politics’

He also refuted BJP’s allegations against the Congress government of indulging in “hate politics” following the arrest warrant against its leader and former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in a POCSO case.

On BJP alleging “hate politics”, with respect to a case and arrest warrant against Yediyurappa, Shivakumar questioned about the saffron party’s case against its leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with which he had to appear before a court in Bengaluru recently.

Rahul Gandhi appeared before a special court in Bengaluru on 7 June in connection with a defamation case filed by the Karnataka BJP for issuing “defamatory” advertisements in mainstream newspapers.

The advertisement ahead of Assembly polls last year had accused the then BJP government in the state of indulging in large-scale corruption during its 2019-2023 rule.

Also Read: Mangaluru City Commissioner of Police confirms hate slogans sparked clash leading to stabbing incident

Murder case

Darshan, popularly known as “Challenging Star” and his associates were arrested on 11 June for the murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor.

Renukaswamy, a resident of the district headquarters town of Chitradurga, allegedly commented on the social media account of Pavithra Gowda, a friend of Darshan and small-time actor, accusing her of creating a rift between the actor and his wife. He also allegedly used “indecent language” and posted offensive messages, according to police sources.

Meanwhile, the Bengaluru Police have clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) within a 200-metre radius of the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station, where the suspects are being held and questioned, prohibiting public gathering.

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