The photo showing actor and murder-accused Darshan holding a cigarette in one hand, and a coffee mug in another begs the question - is law equal for all?
Published Aug 26, 2024 | 10:33 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 26, 2024 | 12:28 PM
Darshan seen smoking inside jail premises. (Supplied)
On the heels of the viral photo showing the jailed Kannada actor and murder accused Darshan Thugoodepa smoking a cigarette and sipping from a cup, another 25-second video clip surfaced on the night of Sunday, 25 August, appearing to show the actor engaged in a video call.
The authenticity and location of the recording, potentially filmed inside the prison, could not be confirmed.
Meanwhile, the photo involving the jailed actor and other rowdy sheeters raised questions about VIP treatment for the actor and others involved. With the public and the Opposition in the state—BJP leaders criticising the authorities for providing VIP treatment for the murder accused and other rowdy sheeters in the central prison.
The photo showed actor Darshan, history sheeter Willson Garden Naga, the actor’s manager Nagaraj, and another rowdy sheeter Kulla Seena in an open area resembling a lawn, sitting on four plastic chairs arranged around a wooden teapoy.
It further shows Darshan holding a cigarette in one hand, and a coffee mug in another, having a light-hearted conversation.
The photo came a day after Bengaluru’s Central Crime Branch (CCB) raided Bengaluru Central Prison (Parappana Agrahara), as part of their regular checks.
#Karnataka: A day after #Bengaluru’s Central Crime Branch (CCB) raided Bengaluru Central Prison (Parappana Agrahara), a photo of jailed #Kannada film star #DarshanThoogudeepa along with rowdy sheeters smoking a cigarette and sipping a coffee has gone viral.
History sheeter… pic.twitter.com/Yw9h5GA9ij
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) August 25, 2024
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has taken cognizance of the case and directed the immediate suspension of the guilty officials. Karnataka DGP has been instructed to immediately transfer Darshan and others involved to different jails. He also asked the officials to visit the jail and give a full report on the case.
ಪರಪ್ಪನ ಅಗ್ರಹಾರ ಜೈಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಟ ದರ್ಶನ್ ಮತ್ತಿತರರಿಗೆ ರಾಜಾತಿಥ್ಯ ಒದಗಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಪ್ರಕರಣವನ್ನು ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಗಂಭೀರವಾಗಿ ಪರಿಗಣಿಸಿದ್ದು, ತಪ್ಪಿತಸ್ಥ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳನ್ನು ಕೂಡಲೇ ಅಮಾನತು ಮಾಡುವಂತೆ ಸೂಚಿಸಿದ್ದೇನೆ.
ದರ್ಶನ್ ಮತ್ತು ಇತರರನ್ನು ಕೂಡಲೇ ಬೇರೆ ಬೇರೆ ಕಾರಾಗೃಹಗಳಿಗೆ ಸ್ಥಳಾಂತರ ಮಾಡುವಂತೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಕಾರಾಗೃಹಕ್ಕೆ ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಿ ಪ್ರಕರಣದ…
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) August 26, 2024
Reacting to the photo, Karnataka Minister G Parameshwara confirmed that there were lapses in the jail. He further assured that this would not be repeated, Speaking to the reporters in Bengaluru, he said, “Yesterday (25 August) evening our officers went and inquired. Seven officers were kept under suspension. This is a lapse. This should not be repeated. We also have some responsibility.”
Apart from the suspensions, the Superintendent of the Central jail at Parappana Agrahara has also been transferred.
Those suspended include jailers Sharan Basappa Amingad and Prabhu S Khandelwal, assistant jailers L S Kuppeswamy and Srikanth Talwar, head warder Venkappa, Sampath Kumar and warder K Basappa.
Meanwhile, reacting to the picture, the deceased Renukaswamy’s father Kashinath S Shivanagowdru demanded a probe into it and punishment for those behind it. “With such things, there is a feeling that a CBI probe should happen.”
“Looking at the picture I’m surprised to see him (Darshan) with others holding a cigarette and drinking tea. We get a doubt whether he is in jail or not. Jail should be a jail and should not become something else. He should be treated like other normal prisoners, but here it looks like he seems to be sitting in a resort,” he told reporters in the district headquarters town of Chitradurga.
Stating that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and police officials had promised him justice, he said, “The guilty should be punished and thereby my son’s soul should get peace. I know the pain of losing my son…we are deeply pained, and he (Darshan) seems to be enjoying being there, in jail… We still have faith in the police and the government.”
The opposition BJP has demanded that the Home Department minister make it clear to the people whether Parappana Agrahara jail is a “prison or a palace”.
Party leader and MLC N Ravi Kumar in a statement said it is highly condemnable that the jail authorities and the police department have provided a “luxurious (stay) and royal hospitality” to Darshan at the prison.
“This is the height of Congress’s maladministration… This highlights the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The Home Department has completely failed,” he said, urging the government to investigate the matter immediately and take action against the guilty officers and staff so that such incidents do not take place in the jail in future.
Actor Darshan, popularly known as ‘Challenging Star’, Gowda, and his close associates were arrested on 12 June for the murder of the 33-year-old fan on 8 June.
Renukaswamy’s body with multiple injury marks was found near a stormwater drain next to an apartment in Sumanahalli on 9 June. A resident of the district headquarters town of Chitradurga, Renukaswamy worked with a pharmacy company.
He allegedly commented on the social media account of Gowda, 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.
“It was Pavithra who instigated Darshan to punish Renukaswamy. Accordingly, the plan was hatched,” the police said. “Darshan engaged the Chitradurga unit of Darshan Fan Club Convenor Raghavendra alias Raghu, who obtained all information about Renukaswamy.”
Renukaswamy’s wife Sahana said Raghavendra picked up her husband on Friday night from near their house. The victim was abducted and taken to a shed in the Kamakshipalya area in Bengaluru, the sources said.
“Darshan beat up Renukaswamy with a belt. After he fell unconscious, his accomplices thrashed him with sticks. Further, they threw him against a wall, which proved fatal,” they said adding there were multiple bone fractures all over his body.
After he died, his body was dumped in a stormwater drain. A food delivery boy who noticed dogs eating a human body alerted the police.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula, with inputs from Mahesh G Goudar and PTI)
